Huge fire

[rbdetsport]

.....ukee. I saw the report on the news and it seems as if the fire engulfed half of the building. Part of the outside wall has collapsed. Maybe people with more information can tell us. It's at a warehouse. The building is mostly abandoned, but it is slightly occupied by a furniture store.

[Allan]

It is the old Studebaker plant, where Studebakers were produced until 1928. The building is a total loss. It is wood-framed, and the whole thing is completely engulfed in flames.

[tapezord]

It is the old Studebaker plant, where Studebakers were produced until 1928.  The building is a total loss.  It is wood-framed, and the whole thing is completely engulfed in flames.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

crap.

[ironchapman]

Sad to hear that. A piece of our history, especially one that produced the now "extinct" icon the Studebaker, is gone forevermost (most likely).

By any chance, does anyone have a picture of the place before/after it burned (when they come in)?

[Allan]

They are trying to save the eastern end, where the storeage place and meat market is, but from what people are telling me, the fire is still growing in intensity, so saving it does not seem likely. I've got people on site calling me, and they're telling me that walls are collapsing.

[Allan]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/4632626/detail.html

[MJLO]

I wish there were a way for us that are out of town to see whats going on!

[theSuburbs]

At least it's not gonna spread to the Fisher building area.

[Ramcharger]

There's a good picture on detroit.com

Studebaker Piquette Avenue Plant

[wolverine]

prior to the walls collapsing

[MJLO]

holy cow!!!!!!

[ironchapman]

That's quite a fire.

[Allan]

A huge portion of the front facade collapsed a couple minutes ago. The fire is spreading eastward across the roof, and has reached the Brush Street end of the building.

It is a 5 alarm fire. Is it really a good idea to lay off 100 firefighters?

[wolverine]

what is used to look like

Photo by Lowell at DetroitYes

Edit

Response to Allan's post

Maybe the city gov will take a hint from this.

[ironchapman]

A huge portion of the front facade collapsed a couple minutes ago. The fire is spreading eastward across the roof, and has reached the Brush Street end of the building.

It is a 5 alarm fire.  Is it really a good idea to lay off 100 firefighters?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps not

@wolverine--

Thanks for the picture! It looks like it was a nice building.

[krazeeboi]

That's too bad. I'm sure the building could have been re-outfitted in many ways. Such a loss.

[Allan]

Pieces of the asphalt roof are flying off and landing several blocks away, starting other fires. All the units in Detroit are there with the exception of one ladder.

[wolverine]

Allan is taking these of his television and sending them to me since my server space is a black hole without limits.

IMG]http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/destroyedf.jpg

Let me fix that:

[Michi]

I just got back from standing for two hours at John R. just 1/2 block away from Piquette Avenue. I have never seen such a scene in my entire life. The images of what looked like an entire city burning to the ground. You could see and hear the building falling apart right before your eyes.

It seemed as if the entire city was out watching in disbelief. When people heard it was the Piquette Market and Plant, they were in shock. That building is HUGE. Really, and aweful night in Detroit and one that I will never forget. Yet another piece of our treasured history gone forever.

RIP and God Bless!!

[ironchapman]

Allan is taking these of his television and sending them to me since my server space is a black hole without limits.

IMG]http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/destroyedf.jpg

Let me fix that:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow...it seems even bigger in that pic.

How are you getting these pics, Allan? Are you just holding your camera up to the TV?

I can see how you or some of your fellow residents might not want to believe this is happening, Michi. R.I.P. Indeed.

[wolverine]

Things are getting worse. The fire has now spread across the street to the building containing the Henry Ford Hospital records. Additionally, the model T plant is now in very serious danger of catching fire.

[SNWEB]

I must say that was so damn crazy.

I watched the whole newcast.

So many errors, Channel 4 couldnt even point out where the building was on an aerial lol.

I am not too mad on this loss, i was in the building a month ago and the thing was already a complete loss with collapsing wood floors. The only thing salvageable was the facade.

I will have my photos from my visit up soon.

[wolverine]

Retrofitted, yes the facade could have been easily saved. It's a practice that appears to be picking up in Michigan. Since it's collapsed, it's now useless.

[wolverine]

[MJLO]

Anynew photo's or updates?