Brief Fire Evacuates Historic Detroit College Building

No injuries reported after blaze at Wayne State's Maccabees Building, a nearly century-old landmark.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A fire on the 11th floor of the historic Maccabees Building owned by Wayne State University in Detroit caused an evacuation on Wednesday, but no injuries were reported. The fire was contained, and authorities said it likely started in the building's heating and cooling system.

Why it matters

The Maccabees Building is a nearly 100-year-old landmark in Detroit designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn. It has housed early radio and TV studios, including the original broadcasts of "The Lone Ranger" and "The Green Hornet." Any incident that threatens this historic structure is significant for the city.

The details

Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the top of the 14-story Maccabees Building, which Wayne State University has owned for over 20 years. The university said the fire was contained and no one was hurt, though the building had to be evacuated.

  • The fire occurred on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Wayne State University

The public research university that owns the historic Maccabees Building and has offices located there, including the Computer Science Department and African American Studies.

Maccabees Building

A nearly century-old, 14-story building in Detroit designed by architect Albert Kahn that has housed early radio and TV studios, including the original broadcasts of "The Lone Ranger" and "The Green Hornet."

Albert Kahn

The renowned architect who designed the historic Maccabees Building in Detroit.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining and preserving historic buildings like the Maccabees, which are not only architectural landmarks but also hold significant cultural and media history for the city of Detroit.