Residents of Worcester apartment building hit by fire will start returning this weekend

Craig S. Semon, Telegram & Gazette
·1 min read

WORCESTER ― After more than a week, Plumley Village apartment building residents who were displaced due to an early morning electrical fire on Thanksgiving are returning to their home.

In all, more than 300 residents, or 120 households, were displaced by the electrical fire that knocked out power in the 16-story building.

Maintenance vehicles are parked outside the Plumley Village apartment building on Laurel Street in Worcester last week after a fire there forced residents to leave.
Maintenance vehicles are parked outside the Plumley Village apartment building on Laurel Street in Worcester last week after a fire there forced residents to leave.

On Saturday, 104 households on the top 13 floors were allowed back in the building, while the lower floors will reopen early this week, according to The Community Builders, the entity that manages and owns Plumley Village.

More than 80 households were in temporary housing, while the remainder have chosen to stay with family and friends.

“We are thrilled to begin to welcome Plumley Village residents back home,” Dawn Vadnais, vice president of property operations, said in a press release. “We are thankful the building was evacuated without injuries on Thanksgiving, apartments intact. We are truly grateful for everyone helping our residents during this challenging time.”

Contractors have been directed to install an interim electrical system to restore power. It will take months to make a permanent system repair, according to The Community Builders.

In partnership with the City of Worcester, returning families will receive expanded benefits for new groceries at the Plumley Village Food Pantry.

The Community Builders staff is also providing checks to assist displaced residents.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Residents of Plumley Village in Worcester start returning after fire