Grant Sandlin, an Athens firefighter and emergency medical technician, unpacks his gear in his bunkroom Monday at Fire Station 1 on Washington Street.

Athens Fire and Rescue personnel were excited Monday to be back home at Fire Station 1 after spending about 2 1/2 months in temporary digs.

Firefighters had to move from their new fire station on Washington Street in January after frigid temperatures burst the sprinkler system pipes and caused $32,890 in water damage to ceiling and floor. Firefighters were moved down the street to the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency on Market Street while their station was repaired.

The station was damaged Jan. 7 amid record-breaking cold in North Alabama. The ceiling collapsed and fell, leaving a few inches of water on the floor.

Fire Chief Tony Kirk said the roof of the station had been adequately insulated when it was built. However, the blown insulation had since settled, leaving the pipes exposed and subject to freezing. The pipes were insulated in a better manner this time.

The city’s insurance paid all but the $5,000 deductible for the repairs.