The Oread Inn pranksters were at it again Thursday morning.

Someone activated a fire hydrant, for the third time, near the construction site of the 106-room hotel and condo development near 12th and Indiana streets, sending water gushing into the development.

“I’m sure it’s probably just kids messing around after the bars close,” said Casey Stewart, job superintendent for Lawrence-based general contractor Gene Fritzel Construction Co. “It’s getting old, very old.”

Kansas University police were called about 4:15 a.m. Thursday to the scene, where they found the hydrant open again. The hydrant was shut off in about 25 minutes. About 5 inches of water had collected in the basement of the $37 million construction project, Stewart said.

On Wednesday, about 7 feet of water filled the construction pit by the time the hydrant was shut off, causing at least $40,000 in damage to equipment. Construction workers said there was also a similar incident three weeks ago.

The city has ordered a lock for the hydrant, which should arrive Friday, Stewart said.

“Hopefully we shouldn’t have any more issues,” he said.