Power for the gym is fed through Higgins Laboratories, and power to both buildings was shutdown earlier that morning as construction crews were doing work nearby. The electricity was restored at approximately 11:30 AM, and according to WPI News Service, several people made reports of odd noises coming from various pieces of electrical equipment. Soon after, smoke was reported, fire alarms went off, and the Worcester Fire Department responded.
The three to four small active fires were easily contained, but not before doing some damage to the main electrical panel, some of the older wiring, and some minor smoke damage. The only other damage reported was a bit of structural damage done by the fire fighters searching for any smoldering or burning wires.
Most of the harm done was repaired later that day. The old damaged wires were replaced, and partial power was restored by the next day.