At least 14 Springfield families evicted

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - At least 14 families were forced to leave their condemned apartments Thursday evening after they were left without heat, power and water.

The buildings at 2612 and 2616 Main Street in Springfield's North End were condemned in January.

But residents refused to leave until the city got a court order today to shut off the utilities and start boarding the building up.

There were numerous safety hazards inside the apartments, no working carbon monoxide detectors and exposed wiring.

All of the tenants were able to find a place to stay either through non profit agencies or family and friends.

That hasn't made leaving any easier.

Jessica Pizarro told 22News, "I've been here since I was born and I grew up here with my brothers, cousins and aunts and friends.”

Many of the tenants still have belongings inside; they will be able to be escorted inside to get them during the next two weeks.