BELLINGHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Approximately 100 people and their pets were displaced from an apartment complex after frozen pipes burst around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Bellingham Fire Chief Stephen Gentile said that about 50 units in Jefferson Place suffered major water damage when a sprinkler water pipe burst, flooding three floors and damaging 52 apartments. Gentile said that frigid temperatures are to blame.
"Just from the cold weather. It's been minus 10 at night. It's not an insulated attic. The pipe froze over time," he said.
All utilities, including electric, water and gas, had to be cut. All electrical wires, fire boxes, walls and ceilings will need to be replaced across all three floors. Only a few apartments were not completely damaged. Resident Sherry Currier said, "It's kind of the frosting on a bad cake. It needs to go away."
Officials said repairs could take weeks, if not months, and may cost thousand of dollars.
A majority of the affected residents have found shelter with family and friends. Only a handful will need help from the Red Cross.
Resident Casey Hannon and her son were forced to move in with her mother as her kitchen was filled with water. Tenant Paula Dumont is being put up in a Milford Hotel, her apartment was not damaged, but she knows it will be a while before she can move home.
"There is electricity that is shut off, and probably the heat too. It might be longer for me, I don't know. The whole building was shut down," she said.
The fire chief said it could be up to six weeks before the residents can move back in.
The owners of the apartment complex released a statement Wednesday, saying that they will work with the tenants to make sure they all have a place to stay.
Gentile said that this is the perfect time to remind everyone that you should make sure your water pipes are insulated.