WORCESTER, Mass. - More than 100 families living in a 16-story apartment building in Worcester are still unable to return to their homes as crews investigate an electrical fire that began early Thursday morning. 

What You Need To Know

  • An electrical fire forced more than 100 families out of a 16-story apartment building in Worcester early Thursday morning

  • The building's owners said a timeline for repairs shouldn't be expected until early next week

  • Residents were offered free temporary housing, a Thanksgiving dinner and cases of water

  • Crews are working on a temporary repair to allow residents back in as soon as it's safe

On Friday morning, electrical contractors and city inspectors were on site at Plumley Village, but there's still no timetable for getting residents back inside. The Community Builders, a nonprofit which owns and operates the building at 16 Laurel Street, said a timeline for repairs shouldn't be expected until early next week. 

Residents Spectrum News spoke with in the aftermath of the electrical fire on Thursday were bracing for a long wait to get back inside. 

"The people here are saying three days, but after speaking off-the-record with people who are actually going to do stuff, they're saying it could be a week or longer," said Junior Robert.

In a brief update Friday afternoon, the city manager's office said while partial power has been restored, crews are still working on a temporary repair to allow residents back into the building as soon as it's safe. 

In the meantime, TCB has offered its residents temporary housing. So far, 68 out of 120 households have accepted. They were also offered Thanksgiving meals, cases of water, snacks and gift cards. 

"We are incredibly grateful there were no injuries during an electrical fire at Plumley Village on Thanksgiving morning," the company said in a statement. "We are cooperating with a Worcester Fire Department investigation to determine the cause and are thankful for their emergency response."

In the early-morning panic Thursday, many residents weren't able to leave with much more than a handful of necessities. 

"When I opened the door, there was smoke everywhere," said Lady Silva. "So I check both staircases, they both have smoke. It smelled like wires burning. I was like 'Okay, we've got to go,' so I grabbed my baby's bag and we left downstairs to the lobby."

According to the city manager's office, the building's elevator and heating system are now functional.