Fire damages Wayne State University building in downtown Detroit

The fire in the Maccabees Building was contained to the 11th floor.
April 2, 2026

Key Highlights

  • The fire broke out in the Maccabees Building in downtown Detroit.
  • No injuries were reported, and the fire was contained to the 11th floor.
  • The building sustained water damage on the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors.
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Maccabees Building Wayne State

A historic 14-story building on the campus of Wayne State University in downtown Detroit was damaged Wednesday in a fire; no injuries were reported.

The Detroit Free Press reports that an HVAC unit caught fire on the 11th floor of the Maccabees Building around 1 p.m., and the building was evacuated.

Smoke billowing from a rooftop could be seen from long distance. The fire was contained to the 11th floor and was extinguished, a university spokesman said.

Wayne State Police Chief Anthony Holt said most of the damage is water damage contained to the 11th, 10th and ninth floors.

The building is one of the tallest on Wayne State's campus and houses academic offices. The 11th floor includes the Graduate School Dean's office and the Department of African American Studies offices. There are no classrooms on that floor.

The building opened in 1927 and was designed by architect Albert Kahn, according to historicdetroit.org.

About the Author

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Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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