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Cold blamed for burst pipe that flooded Saskatoon hospital

Cold causes burst pipe: Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital wall exposed by construction. File / Global News

SASKATOON – A health region spokesman says cold weather is behind a burst water pipe that flooded areas of Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

Marcel Nobert says the room the pipe was in was exposed to outside air because of construction of the new children’s hospital.

The pipe ruptured around midnight Monday and spewed water into several spots, including the pediatric outpatient area and the coronary care unit.

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READ MORE: Water pipe burst at Royal University Hospital affects some services

Nobert says six procedures, two surgeries and four cardiac catheterizations were postponed.

Most of the affected areas have reopened, although the pediatric outpatient unit is expected to remain at least partially closed a bit longer.

The Saskatoon Health Region is to meet this week to make sure future cold weather construction on the children’s hospital will not affect the main facility, Nobert said.

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“At the end of the day, a primary focus is to not have this happen and disrupt patients and staff again.”

Nobert said it is still too early to provide a damage figure.

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