Wood County Schools sites suffer water line breaks | News, Sports, Jobs
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- The Williamstown Middle/High School weight room was damaged after a water line in the ceiling froze and ruptured over the weekend. (Photo Provided)
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- This concession area at the Erickson All-Sports Facility is one of several Wood County Schools location damaged by ruptured water lines due to the frigid cold over Christmas weekend. (Photo Provided)
This concession area at the Erickson All-Sports Facility is one of several Wood County Schools location damaged by ruptured water lines due to the frigid cold over Christmas weekend. (Photo Provided)
PARKERSBURG — Multiple Wood County Schools sites were damaged by ruptured water lines over the frigid Christmas weekend, along with some area businesses.
A valve to the sprinkler system in the Erickson All-Sports Facility visitors concession area froze and ruptured early Monday morning, Parkersburg Fire Department Capt. J.D. Beha said. A resident in the area reported an alarm to the Police Department, who contacted firefighters around 1:39 a.m. Monday to assist in turning the water off, he said.
Beha said there were multiple ceiling collapses.
“There’s a lot of work to be done,” he said.
Wood County Schools officials said there were similar problems at the Williamstown Middle/High School weight room next to the football stadium, and crews were cleaning up water at Franklin Elementary Center and Edison Middle School Monday evening.
The Williamstown Middle/High School weight room was damaged after a water line in the ceiling froze and ruptured over the weekend. (Photo Provided)
“We are in the process of addressing the issue and scheduling repairs,” a statement from the district said.
District officials said people should avoid the athletic facilities.
“We also have electrical issues and a vent to a gas hot water tank that was damaged. We have concerns about CO2 (carbon dioxide),” the statement said.
Michael Erb, coordinator of communications for the district, said it is too early to say whether the issues at the schools will affect when students return. Classes are set to resume Jan. 3.
Beha said the Parkersburg Fire Department also responded to reports of burst water lines at Lakeview Estates and Tractor Supply.
In Marietta, firefighters responded to a water line break at Peoples Bank on Putnam Street in Marietta, but additional information was not immediately available.
After plunging below freezing throughout most of the weekend, temperatures are expected to rise this week, with highs in the upper 30s today, rising to the mid-50s by Thursday and Friday.
Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected].