Heavy Snow, Ice Collapse More Roofs
BOSTON (CBS) - More roofs collapsed overnight under the weight of heavy, frozen snow.
CHELSEA
Cinder blocks crumbled under the weight of unprecedented snow, bringing down the roof of a flooring company in Chelsea. No one was inside at the time, but owners had been working there earlier.
"Roofs aren't made to take snow loads like this," said Dep. Chief Bob Better.
WBZ-TV's Sera Congi reports from Chelsea.
The collapse caused one of the walls to fall onto the home next door. A 91-year-old woman inside had to be evacuated, but she was not injured.
Neighboring Lester Auto Repair was also in danger of collapse, as it showed signs of weakness while crews were shoveling on the roof.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports from Chelsea.
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"This building here of similar construction, we saw they were shoveling off the roof there. We saw similar issues with cracks. We evacuated the building. We got them off the roof and out of the building, and an assessment shows that that building has to be shored up," said Dep. Chief Better.
No injuries were reported.
Some schools are set to close across Massachusetts due to roof concerns.
NORWELL
Students and faculty from the The South Shore Charter School in Norwell were evacuated due roof concerns related to recent heavy snow and rain.
While the building is relatively new, the roof is entirely flat, which leaves it more vulnerable to collapses. Crews worked to clean snow off the roof of the building through Thursday afternoon.
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports.
One teacher said she noticed the cracks near some of the sprinklers.
The school should reopen on Friday.
HINGHAM
Hingham Middle School was closed Thursday to give officials time to clear heavy snow and ice off the roofs. The building is a relatively older structure, and fire officials wanted to ensure the roof's integrity.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports on Hingham Middle School
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The middle school will be closed on Friday.
JAMAICA PLAIN
Several people on Porter Street were forced from their home after the building next door collapsed.
No one was in the two-and-a-half story home when it came crashing down because it was under renovation.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jim Smith reports from Jamaica Plain.
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Part of the building came to rest against the home next door and that's why residents had to leave.
What's left will now be demolished.
BOLTON
The roof and walls of a riding stable collapsed Thursday evening.
No injuries were reported.
LINCOLN
The roof of Donelan's Supermarket on Lincoln Street caved in when it could no longer hold the snow and two air conditioning units.
No one was hurt.
The damage appears limited to the market, but the entire plaza of stores has been shut down until engineers can inspect it.
WESTFORD
Occupants of a building in Westford were evacuated after someone spotted ceiling panels that had shifted.
Firefighters arrived on scene to inspect the situation. They ordered the evacuation as a precaution.
