LEWISTON – Heavy snow and ice led to a partial shed roof collapse on Howe Street around 2:30 Sunday afternoon.

The shed is attached to a building used as a warehouse for several businesses, said Lewiston Fire Department Capt. Tim Myers.

The roof didn’t have much of a pitch and gave way under the snow’s weight, Myers said.

The building is also attached to a day care center. The day care will not be closed because the sunken roof poses no danger, Myers said.

The roof came down 3 feet or so and broke a sprinkler pipe, setting off an alarm that alerted 911. Firefighters disconnected the sprinkler in that part of the building.

“With all this rain coming, I don’t know what’s going to happen to the roofs.” Myers said.

The out-of-town owner of the building came to look at the damage and said he planned to tear down that part of the building, Myers said.

Building inspector Bruce Gary looked at the damage and made the owner aware of the work he would have to do if he were to keep it standing.

Gary told the owner to get an electrician over to cut the power off to that section of the building, Myers said.

Gary is set to come back on Tuesday to make sure the owner has complied with his orders.

“People need to realize, the extra weight of the snow and ice built up may take its toll.” Myers said.