Water Line Break Forces Grand Forks Residents from Apartment Building

Some tenants of a Grand Forks Apartment building are homeless this evening after a broken pipe flooded their apartment.

The same complex had a similar frozen pipe break just after Christmas causing considerable damage. Officials say it was another case where the bitter cold temps are to blame. The fire department was called out at around 12:15 after someone reported water coming into an apartment. They responded to the call at the Mallview apartments on 24th avenue south in Grand Forks.

A frozen sprinkler head pipe caused water to drain from the ceiling of one apartment and then flow into the neighboring apartment. Firefighters punched holes in the ceiling to help the water drain. Most of the damage will be to sheet rock, insulation, carpet and some furniture. Only two apartment units and the hallway received water damage. Management says they'll investigate this new break to see if there is anything they can do to prevent other frozen pipe issues.

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