Fifty senior citizens relocated after hot water pipe breaks in Woodbridge

On Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 at approximately 10:04 p.m., fire and rescue units responded to a fire alarm activation at a senior apartment complex located at 13900 Hedgewood Drive near Minnieville Road and the Prince William Parkway. Upon arrival on the scene, fire and rescue units discovered a broken domestic hot water pipe was flooding the apartments, according to a news release from Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.

Emergency workers located the broken pipe on the second floor. Water was causing damage to multiple apartments on the first and second floors and into the corridors.  At this time residents were temporarily relocated to 13910 Hedgewood Drive until other shelter arrangements can be found, the news release said.

American Red Cross was notified and arrived on the scene to assist the families with shelter for 50 residents and 20 pets.  Red Cross working in conjunction with the Prince William County Department of Social Services established a shelter for the residents at the Dale City Recreation Center.

Prince William County Schools provided buses to transport the residents to the shelter including a bus to transport individuals with wheelchairs. In addition, Red Cross brought in trailers as a shelter and canteen to provide snacks and water for the residents during the evening and for morning breakfast. Prince William County Police assisted with scene management and evacuations.

The building official has posted the building unsafe due to lack of heat, electricity and clean water until repairs can be made.  Contractors are currently working on site to make repairs; however, building management has not provided a timeframe for completion, according to anews release from Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue.