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Skating Club Of Boston Evacuated, Other Roofs Inspected

BOSTON (CBS) -- With another storm in the forecast on Saturday emergency crews were moving from location to location dealing with collapsing or compromised roofs. The snow pack with the addition of rain is proving to be too much for some buildings.

According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, as of late Friday there had been 93 roof collapses in the state; 13 on Friday alone.

SKATING CLUB EVACUATION

The Skating Club of Boston had to be evacuated while crews inspected the roof.

District Fire Chief Dennis Keeley on the Skating Club evacuation.

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Officials say snow was sliding off the main building on Soldiers Field Road in Brighton and accumulating on the flat roof attached to it. About 100 people were inside at the time.

The snow on the flat roof reached a depth of about eight feet. Under that roof were a Zamboni machine, refrigeration equipment and locker rooms.

District Fire Chief Dennis Keeley says he has serious concerns about the structural integrity of a 150 foot section of flat roof that's covered with snow. He noticed a couple of bricks on the ground next to the building.

Once all of the snow is off the flat roof, the building will be inspected again. If it passes people will be allowed back in the building then.

STORE CLOSED IN WOBURN

A Target store in Woburn is closed so workers can clear snow from the roof.

There are several dozen people on the roof moving the snow to tarps which are then lowered to the ground with cranes.

Once on the ground the snow is melted in an industrial machine.

WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports from Woburn.

WESTON AND METHUEN

The post office in Weston was evacuated and closed Saturday morning after water leakage prompted fears of a roof collapse. There has been no collapse, but crews did inspect the building.

In Methuen there's great concern about the safety of school buildings.

All public schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday so crews can clear snow off the roofs.

CHELMSFORD EVACUATIONS

People in a mobile home park in Chelmsford were still working Saturday on clearing their roofs after some residents started to notice their ceilings bowing.

In that neighborhood neighbors were helping neighbors as some of them weren't able to do the work for themselves.

People living in 12 of the homes left Friday night after emergency crews inspected the buildings.

WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez reports.

SNOW BLOWERS ON ROOFS

It's a scene seen a lot these days. People on roofs clearing the snow. But it's not always done with a shovel. Some places are bringing snow blowers up to the roof in hopes of getting the job done faster and with less strain.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports.

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SUGGESTIONS FROM PROS

Structural engineer Garrick Goldenberg of the Wentworth Institute of Technology says if you have more than 12 inches of snow on your roof, especially flat roofs, you should get someone to remove it.

He adds that one of the biggest warning signs that your roof is in danger of collapsing is sagging ceilings. You may also hear creaking and cracking.

WBZ News Radio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe talked with Goldenberg.

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