Several sites, (look it up) are saying a major reason for total failure there was little to zero water in the hydrant system.
Still, fires can be extinguished with any water. Ocean salt water
murky lake water like these helicopters here use for brush fires
etc. etc.
Doesn't necessarily have to be treated municipal potable water
from the system
A good many fires around here are extinguished with a
toxic foam. They just got through with a major fire and
explosions a few miles away at a large paint manufacturer,
and the foam is everywhere.
They didn't want the massive fire and explosions, but
they didn't want the foam either. What do you do?
Can't use water on flammable chemicals