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Fifty-five new hydrants will help fight fires faster and may lower insurance rates for New Hope, Pa. residents, officials said.

Fifteen of the 55 hydrants are already operating and 40 more are expected to be turned on by the end of February, said Patrick Cleary, a spokesman for the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.

Daryl Jurbala, assistant fire marshal, said the new hydrants probably would prompt an improved rating by the Insurance Services Office, which provides municipal fire protection ratings to the insurance industry.

When last assessed in 1995, the borough’s fire safety rating was seven on a scale of one to nine, with one being the highest. A $500,000 wood home could see its fire insurance rates drop about 6 percent if the rating improved to five, Jurbala said.

Topics Pennsylvania