Fire Erupts at Wayne State University Building in Midtown Detroit

A fire erupted at a building belonging to Wayne State University in Midtown Detroit on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The blaze was reported midday and triggered an immediate campus alert.

The Maccabees Building, located at 5057 Woodward Ave., was evacuated following the warning. The university asked the public to avoid the area while responders moved in.

Response and safety measures

Wayne State issued an alert at 1:24 p.m. informing the campus community of the evacuation. The message urged people to stay clear of the block around Woodward Avenue.

A university spokesperson said there was no additional information available immediately. The Detroit Fire Department had not provided a response to requests for comment at the time of reporting.

Building background

The Maccabees Building stands 14 stories and is among the tallest structures on Wayne State’s campus. It contains offices used by faculty members.

Historic sources, cited by Filmogaz.com, state the building opened in 1927. The same sources attribute the design to architect Albert Kahn.

Coverage status

Officials continue to monitor the scene and gather details. This remains a developing story, and updates will follow as new information becomes available.