The Massachusetts Emergency Management Association is advising property owners to clear off their roofs if they can. Watch video
View full size Russ G Abbey of South Hadley is one of many contractors shoveling off the deep snows from roofs. He was on a roof on Apremont Highway in Holyoke
SPRINGFIELD- The falling snow has come and gone for now, but the danger from falling roofs remains.
Throughout the Pioneer Valley Thursday, emergency responders spent the second straight day dealing with collapsing roofs on residential, retail and warehouse buildings in Springfield, Westfield, Southampton, Palmer and Northampton, and other locations across the state.
The situation prompted Gov. Deval L. Patrick to issue an advisory to residents, landlords, and businesses to watch out for too much snow building up on roofs.
“Following several days of snow and freezing rain, the dangers of roof collapse are real,” Patrick said. “If you suspect that there are any abnormalities whatsoever in a building that you occupy, you should evacuate immediately and call 911.”
The combination of heavy snow and cold temperatures over the next few days means little opportunity for melting. With more snow expected Saturday, the danger of over-taxed roofs could only increase, according to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
The agency is recommending property owners take steps to remove snow from roofs before more snow accumulates.
The National Weather Service is predicting a chance of a storm on Saturday afternoon, which could bring another 2 to 6 inches of snow.
In Springfield, firefighters responded to two separate roof collapses at residences in the Forest Park neighborhood.
A failing roof at a multi-unit home at 146 Kensington Ave. Thursday at about 10:30 a.m. displaced six residents said Fire Department spokesman Dennis G. Leger.
Firefighters helped get everyone out of the building and the American Red Cross, Pioneer Valley chapter was called to assist the displaced, he said.
The Red Cross provided temporary shelter for six residents.
Just a few blocks away, another roof collapsed at 59-61 Scott St. at about 7 a.m.
No one was injured, but firefighters found a single occupant inside who was awakened by the roof collapsing around him, Leger said.
The occupant, Dan Scagliarini had only recently moved into the 2 1/2 story home, Leger said. Firefighters escorted him out of the building, Leger said.
In Northampton, firefighters evacuated a medical office building at 76 Carlon Road just after noon out of concerns the roof would give way, said Chief Brian P. Duggan.
“Basically there is evidence of structural compromise and we are working with both the owner and the building inspector to take appropriate steps,” Duggan said.
Carlon Road is off King Street near the fire station.
Also Walmart stores in Northampton and Westfield remained closed Thursday out of concern for the amount of snow on the roof.
Walmart officials could not be reached for comment, but a spokeswoman told WWLP that the move is a precaution until snow can be removed.
In Westfield, a man clearing snow from a commercial building at 501 Southampton Road Wednesday escaped injury when he jumped from a ladder as the building’s roof collapsed.
Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Kane said Chris Malinowski heard snapping and cracking sounds from inside the building and jumped from his ladder just as the center of the roof let go.
“He heard a snap, a crack, another louder sound and jumped to the ground,” Kane said
He landed safety, but the building, which houses Martin’s Floor Covering and Kitchens Direct, was condemned. Malinowski is the son of the building’s owner.
In Warren, a garage roof owned by Lizak Bus Service, 1301 Main St., collapsed late Wednesday onto eight school buses parked inside.
There were no injuries, but the buses were pinned inside the wreckage.
“They were actually holding the roof up,” said Assistant Fire Chief Adam Lavoie.
Three of the buses were removed without damage, Lavoie said.
At the Westover Golf Course, on South Street in Granby, the roof of a maintenance building collapsed Thursday afternoon. The building was about 40 by 80 feet, according to the Ludlow Fire Department, and there were no injuries.
Cleanup from the storm continued throughout the region.
View full sizeJody Winters clears snow from in front of her Crystal Avenue home in Springfield Thursday following a two-day winter storm.Springfield officials said the winter so far has cost $2 million in snow removal costs and there is more work yet to be done following recent storms.
DPW director Allan Chwalek said there are five crews working six days a week to clear up the snow.
The city has been removing snow to dumping sites around the city including Kiley and Duggan Middle Schools, Mary Lynch School the former York Street Jail, Smith and Wesson and several other locations. Chwalek said the city has also a verbal agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection to dump snow in the Mill River if necessary.
“We are going to fill out the necessary paperwork, but as of now it has not come to that,” he said.
With roads still sloppy and sky-high snow banks blocking visibility at intersections, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said people need to have some patience until city workers can get around to remove the snow.
“It is going to take some time to get to all of them, and until then we need drivers to take it slow,” he said.
Piling snow was the cause of a Chicopee argument resulted in an 83-year-old man hitting a 67-year-old neighbor repeatedly with a snow shovel on Tuesday, said police Lt. Mark Higgins.
“The argument ensued about the placement of snow,” he said.
Higgins said 83-year-old Maurice Cotton of 129 Manning St. was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a snow shovel.
The neighbor suffered minor injuries to his head and shoulders, Higgins said.
Cotton pleaded innocent at his arraignment Thursday in Springfield District Court. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court for a pre-trial conference on March 7.
One of the conditions of his release is that he avoid all contact with the victim.