The Prudden Building Fire

One of the lesser known fires in Lansing history, but nevertheless intriguing. The corner of Washington and Michigan has been occupied by many of Lansing’s most important businesses. The site has been occupied by Grove & Whitney Hardware, Broas clothing and at the time of the fire, the American Savings Bank. Early on December 28, 1920 a small fire began in the new basement restaurant, Superior Lunch. At 4:50 am the alarm was sounded and the entire city fire department was on the scene.

Brisk winds out of the SW and cold temperatures hindered the work of the fire department. At 11:10 am the last part of the south wall of the building fell inward, causing the fire chief to suspend the playing of water on the rest of the structure until the stability of the remaining walls could be determined. The cause of the fire, according to Fire Chief Hugo Delfs, was “…dubious, probably spontaneous combustion.” The greatest loss was the destruction of the war records of Ingham County soldiers from the Great War [World War I].