SAN ANTONIO -- Several town homes were damaged Monday on the Northwest Side after raw sewage spilled into the residences.

Residents said they woke up to find sewage water on the floors of their town homes in the 4900 block of Ali Avenue.

Angel Bustamante, a resident, said he and his neighbors were angry because they claimed that San Antonio Water System workers took several hours to get there.

"If they would have been here sooner, they could have stopped it," Bustamante said. "Because it went to 2 feet high by the time they were here."

The sewage flood, blamed on a blocked sewer main, damaged four town homes.

Bustamante said his belongings, including Christmas trees and gifts, were damaged by the sewage.

He added that Christmas will not be the same this year because of the mess.

"All our Christmas is ruined," Bustamante said. "The presents and everything we bought the kids (were damaged). It's a week until Christmas. What am I supposed to tell my kids? Sorry?"

Residents stayed outside their town homes all day while a cleaning service hired by SAWS tried to get rid of the smelly water.

Residents will not be able to return to their homes until Thursday.

SAWS spokeswoman Anne Hayden said the utility is not responsible for the damages because the sewer main was blocked by grease and rags.

Hayden said the utility is investigating the lengthy response time by the crew, which she claimed got stuck in traffic.

She added that SAWS made arrangements for the families to stay in a hotel while the incident is being investigated.