For Immediate Release

Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Winthrop Fire Department Responding to Multiple Frozen Pipe Incidents

Four Buildings were Impacted, Including Winthrop Middle-High School

*Press Conference Scheduled at Winthrop Middle-High School Parking Lot at 6:30 p.m.*

WINTHROP — Fire Chief Paul E. Flanagan and Town Manager Terence Delehanty report that the Winthrop Fire Department responded to reports of frozen and burst pipes at four separate locations in town Sunday afternoon.

The incidents all happened within about 40 minutes of one another.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., the Fire Department received reports of a leak in the sprinkler system at the Winthrop Middle-High School, 400 Main St.

A sprinkler line froze and burst causing water to go into the cafeteria and band room on the first floor of the school.

The water was isolated to the first floor and went mostly onto concrete floors. Fire Department personnel and school officials were on scene working to clean up the water and repairs were being made to the pipes.

School will be open Monday.

Around the same time, Winthrop Fire received calls from three separate housing complexes that were reporting similar issues. They were located at:

• 550 Pleasant  St., a 45-unit condominium complex
• 142 Pleasant St., 16-unit condominium complex
• 46 Lincoln St. – 90 units of assisted and independent living for elderly and disabled (15 units affected)

All of the incidents occurred within the sprinkler systems of the respective buildings.

The sprinkler systems have been shut off while repairs are being made.

“This freezing cold is causing issues with pipes throughout the town today,” Chief Flanagan said. “We are working to address them as quickly as we can and thank residents for their patience.”

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