Thieves looking to cash in on scrap metal have broken into fire hydrant caps in the Kansas City metropolitan area, officials said.

In one Northland area of Kansas City, Mo., water workers have had to replace a hydrant on Northwest 82nd Terrace and one on Overland Drive as a result of the damage left behind.

In the past week, a third hydrant, on Northwest Belvidere Parkway, was also broken into.

"They're taking a risk not only to themselves but they're also possibly putting the public in harm's way because that's exactly what fire hydrants are there to do is protect the public and protect property," said Colleen Newman, a Kansas City Water Services spokeswoman.

While it hadn't happened yet in Kansas City, Kan., firefighters there said they were watching for thieves who might take both ports from the sides of fire hydrants, rendering them useless.

"Anytime anybody tampers with a fire hydrant, it would severely impact our ability to extinguish a fire," said Deputy Chief Robert Rocha, of the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department.

Fire officials said thieves needed to think about the consequences of what could happen in an emergency.

"We would hope that nobody would think to go for the quick buck and risk the lives of the public," Rocha said.

Officials said it was also dangerous to try to dismantle a fire hydrant as a cap could pop off and cause a serious injury.

They urged anyone who saw anyone trying to break into a fire hydrant to call police.