Raw sewage mess sends Belleville girl to hospital

A Belleville family says they were forced to go to the hospital after becoming overcome by the fumes of raw sewage that leaked into their home. Erica Rivera says that she had to take her daughter Adriana

News 12 Staff

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Nov 11, 2015, 8:59 AM

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Updated 3,328 days ago

A Belleville family says they were forced to go to the hospital after becoming overcome by the fumes of raw sewage that leaked into their home.

Erica Rivera says that she had to take her daughter Adriana to the emergency room Monday night because the smell was too much to bear.

"I had an asthma attack," says Adriana. "My chest was getting heavy. It hurts a lot."

Erica Rivera tells News 12 New Jersey that Belleville sewage has been backing up for the last few days. She took photos to document the mess. She says it is a problem that has been happening for years.

"I just want them to fix this pipeline," Erica says. "If they have to, do a new pipeline, if they have to, do an extension... just so I don't keep getting flooded out."

The water and sewage flooded the Riveras' basement severely. Crews were on scene Tuesday attempting to clean the mess. Parts of the basement walls will have to be removed because of the contamination.

Belleville's township manager tells News 12 New Jersey that the town is aware of the problem and is attempting to fix it.

Erica Rivera says her boyfriend slept at the house Monday night with the windows open to air out the home.