FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — Norwich Township is asking the community for urgent help to replace thousands of Christmas presents that were damaged in a major sewage leak at Station 83.

The fire department had to throw away the thousands of gifts collected for the roughly 1,000 Hilliard families it supports each Christmas.

“Absolutely worst possible time this leak could have happened,” said Battalion Chief Chris Grile. “We recognize these are donations hardworking folks set aside and that makes it even more heartbreaking for us.”

The clock is ticking to replace the gifts, and fast. Norwich Township is hoping to replace the gifts by Monday, Dec. 15, the deadline to start delivering gifts to families.

“We are nervous, we are going to continue to keep our nose to the grindstone and work every a

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