Broken Water Pipe Wreaks Havoc On Strip Mall: Officials

WAUKESHA, WI — Extremely cold weather over the last few days is causing broken water pipes and trouble for area businesses, according to the Waukesha Fire Department.

On Sunday, just after 10 p.m. police and fire were dispatched to a strip mall on the 200 block of E. Sunset Drive on a report of an alarm.

According to Waukesha police reports, a broken water pipe in the building was causing water to flow like a heavy rain inside multiple businesses.

Reports indicated that the water was flowing through Batteries Plus, Papa John's and possibly other businesses in the strip mall.

Joseph Hoffman, Assistant Fire Chief with the Waukesha Fire Department said fire crews attempted to gain access through the buildings lockbox, unfortunately, the keys did not allow access to main water shutoff.

An additional ladder company was requested to the scene in an effort to aid in making access to the building. After forcing entry, the fire department was able to turn the water off to the building.

WE Energies also turned off the water and gas to the building. Fire investigators said the cause of the water flow was a frozen water pipe. The building was turned over to the building owner, who will be working with a restoration company, and the city’s Community Development Department to restore and re-occupy the building.

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