ATTLEBORO - City officials were stunned by the damage caused by a broken water pipe at Brennan Middle School that deluged the fifth grade wing for untold hours early last week.

The pipe, part of the school's heating system, apparently gushed hot water, which added to the problems, said City Councilor John Davis, who toured the school on Rathbun Willard Drive Wednesday morning with school board Chairwoman Robbie Wuilleumier.

Superintendent Pia Durkin and school Principal Richard George accompanied them.

It was the first look at the damage for Davis and Wuilleumier.

School officials have not allowed The Sun Chronicle to photograph the destruction. Wuilleumier said she wasn't prepared for what she encountered.

"I was blown away by the damage," she said. "It was unbelievable, compared to what I anticipated."

Davis, a candidate for mayor, echoed her reaction.

"I was amazed at the scale of the problem," he said. "It was pretty obvious it was an enormous amount of water that leaked out."

Davis said officials told him damage could have been worse, had not a lot of water drained into an elevator shaft.

Wuilleumier said humidity levels reached 80 percent at one point because of the break, which officials said happened over the night of April 16 and April 17. The break was made public on Tuesday, a week after it happened.

Humidity levels have been reduced with dehumidifiers and fans, Wuilleumier said.

The pipe broke at a welded joint and left several inches of water on the floors, city officials have said.

At least 10 rooms were affected, they said.

On Wednesday, two classrooms in the sixth grade wing were blocked by a plastic sheet with a zipper to allow access for workers and to keep students out, Wuilleumier said. Classrooms in the fifth grade wing were isolated by a regular door, she said.

Carpets and ceiling panels have been stripped, and parts of walls have been removed in preparation for repairs to the school that was opened 10 years ago at a cost of $13 million.

Mayor Kevin Dumas said the damage, which is covered by insurance, could total about $250,000.

Reconstruction has not started.

An electrical permit was pulled to take out some damaged wiring and make initial repairs. No building permits have been pulled.

Davis said the dehumidifiers and fans were not running during the tour.

He estimated there were at least 25 fans and four dehumidifiers in the building.

While Wuilleumier and Davis were stunned by the damage, both were pleased with progress at the cleanup and at the operation of the school.

"Everything in there that was very soaked is gone," Wuilleumier said. "It looked like they've done a good job cleaning up."

And students seemed at ease, she said.

"The kids were sitting in improvised classrooms engaged in academics like nothing happened," Wuilleumier said. "Everything looked like it was running smoothly."

Wuilleumier praised George and Vice Principal Patricia Knox, along with teachers who volunteered to come in last week during school vacation to help with cleanup and create new classrooms.

"There was a lot of teamwork involved," Wuilleumier said.

Davis agreed.

"They've done a good job moving things around and keeping things going," he said. "Dr. George has brought everyone together and made the best of a bad situation."

GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.