Leiden Fire Hydrant Sprays Water on Hot Asphalt

Bright sunlight ricochets off passing buses and cafe windows, illuminating a burst of water erupting from a red fire hydrant on the Leiden sidewalk. The spray strikes the dark asphalt, creating immediate white steam that rises in thin, wavering lines against the early autumn morning. Wind funnels dry leaves and crumpled paper trash along the curb, pushing them in a chaotic dance near the hydrant's base. A corner cafe with large glass panes sits adjacent, its interior dim compared to the harsh glare outside. The water creates a dark, wet patch that spreads rapidly, against the dry, dusty street surface. One shadow from the hydrant falls sharply across the wet pavement.