Flooding, Damage Causes Evacuation Of NJ Senior Housing Center
CHESTER, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Burst pipes and flooding damage at a New Jersey housing center left several residents homeless for the second time in over a week.
Management at Chester Senior Housing said a burst happened at the low-income senior housing complex last Tuesday, but are unsure as to the direct cause of the problem, CBS2's Emily Smith reported. Another burst happened again on Monday, destroying six apartments and causing damage to others.
Residents believe a pipe burst in the attic, and said they think it's related to a sprinkler system malfunction over the summer that wasn't repaired correctly. Residents said plumbers responded quickly, but they never saw insulation restored in the attic.
"This is a situation of gross mismanagement and gross neglect," Jeanette Gallagher, a resident, said.
Dumpsters filled with people's belongings only remind people of what they've lost -- and the few things they've managed to salvage.
Donna Lupos has been volunteering her time to help.
"It's a mess," Luops said. "Some are still actually leaking. But they're doing their best."
Abdel Fattah doesn't know where he's sleeping tonight. Management told us they'll pay for motel rooms for every resident.
"Last time I stayed with my daughter almost two nights, but she doesn't have a place for me so I have to sleep on the floor so I came back," Fattah said.
After the first incident, some residents were able to remain living in the building. This time, all tenants have now been evacuated until further notice.