OCALA - With less than a week to go before Christmas, seven families in Ocala have been displaced because of an electrical problem in their apartment building.

 

It happened late Tuesday night at the Steeplechase apartment complex in southwest Ocala. According to neighbors, fire rescue officials were called after a resident reported smelling smoke in one of the units. One resident said she noticed her lights flickering.

 

Ocala Electric officials were called to the scene and determined that the meter bank had to be replaced after moisture was found inside. But because of safety concerns, the power must remain off until the part is replaced. Until that happens, apartment managers say they're doing all they can to help out those residents, including paying for hotel rooms.

 

Management says they expect the new part to arrive sometime Thursday, with power being restored by Friday.