Norwich — Several residents of The Wauregan apartment building who were displaced Friday due to flooding caused by a broken sprinkler pipe may not be able to return for an extended period of time, city officials say.

Lee-Ann Gomes, supervisor of Norwich Human Services, said her department helped to house 13 people from seven units who had no place to stay after water flooded more than a dozen units and power was cut to one portion of the building.

Some tenants were put up at the Comfort Inn and Suites, Gomes said, thanks to a contract for emergencies with the city. She said she fully expects owners of the Wauregan to reimburse the city for expenses.

Gomes said she was at the scene until the early morning hours on Saturday, assessing needs and determining which residents had a place to stay or needed emergency items.

Residents of three of the seven units will be displaced until major work is completed at their homes. Along with rugs and furniture, water had seeped into the walls and soaked insulation in some units.

Meanwhile, she said, managers at The Wauregan worked through the weekend to clean out water that had seeped from the sixth floor down to the basement. Some tenants were out for just one night and power was restored to most of the building by Saturday morning.

Flooding at the 70-unit building at 25 Broadway was first reported at 7:09 p.m. Friday after a fire alarm was activated by the water. The building was evacuated and firefighters cut power for the night in at least 17 units.

Building inspector Jim Troeger said he planned a follow-up inspection Monday afternoon.

A property manager at The Wauregan could not be reached for comment.