Residents displaced by a Mount Vernon apartment building fire last month are now being allowed back inside to get some of their belongings.

"I got a pair of sneakers, shoes, some important documents and that was it. I will literally be starting over from scratch," a resident tells News 12.

The fire happened on Nov. 23 at the building on Cottage Avenue.

More than 100 families were displaced. A shelter was created at Holmes Elementary School in Mount Vernon.

The fire started on the seventh floor of the building, according to officials. Residents say there is extensive damage throughout the building.

"Water damage, that just really destroyed quite a few things, including the floors and ceiling," said Andrea Datcher, who is a resident of the building.

Residents say they were recently notified by the property owner that they can go back inside their units to collect important belongings. But they say this can only be done during limited periods of time.

"I might have lost quite a few valuable things, but I know it can be replaced. I'm grateful for my life, more importantly," says Datcher.

While residents say they are relieved to get some of their things back, they don't know where it's all going to go right now.

"They're coming out crying like, ‘What do I do with all of this stuff now?’ Taking it wherever they can," said Mount Vernon resident Sonya Murray.

News 12 reached out to the owners of the property and is waiting to hear back.

Officials say the fire was accidental. Fire crews tell News 12 a definitive cause hasn't been determined.