Snow Blamed For Collapsed Roof In Bridgewater
SCITUATE (CBS) -- With more snow in the forecast, a state official is advising people to get snow off the roofs of their homes and businesses, just in case.
State Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gatzunis said that snow on roofs now weighs about seven pounds per cubic foot. Any more snow, or rain, could mean problems.
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"Right now the snow is light and fluffy," Gatzunis told WBZ NewsRadio1030's Doug Cope. "Add water to that, and it triples to over 25 pounds per cubic foot."
Gatzunis said he's "not suggesting that people climb up on their roofs and start shoveling themselves," but there are steps homeowners can take.
Snow should be cleared with a snow rake from the ground, or Gatzunis recommends that people hire a contractor to clear their roof if it's under significant drifts of snow.
"Please have them remove that snow so we don't have any roof collapses," Gatzunis said.
In Bridgewater, part of the roof of a three-story steel metal building collapsed Thursday morning.
A partial roof collapse to about 5 percent of the building was reported at Stiles & Hart Brickyard on Cook Street. Fire officials said the cause was snow accumulation on the roof, and no one was hurt.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports:
