WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Fire Officials: Shovel Off Roofs
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Lebanon, New Hampshire - February 6, 2009
Fire officials are warning about the dangers of ice and snow buildup on roofs and they are encouraging people to shovel them off.
The Lebanon Fire Department had several weather-related calls over the past week.
On Wednesday, the weight of snow caused a roof to crack. That caused water to seep into the attic and short-circuit the home's smoke detector system.
The occupants had to be relocated for fear of a roof collapse.
"There was some significant water damage, the electrical panel had to be dried all the circuit breakers replaced. So, it does have the potential to cause some bigger problems, and certainly the worst case scenario is that the roof rafters could not support that additional weight and it could cause a collapse," Lebanon Fire Chief Chris Christopolous said.
Christopolous warns against using de-icing chemicals on roofs. He says that if temperatures are not warm enough, the chemicals will only melt the top layer of ice causing an even thicker layer to form underneath.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
