Firefighters responded to a blaze at the Lafayette Building in downtown South Bend.
It happened on Monday morning, June 8.
They say the fire appeared to be on the fourth floor.
The building is on Lafayette Boulevard, across the street from the St. Joseph County-City Building.
Commissioners decided to close the government building, due to concerns about poor air quality.
No injuries were reported. No word, yet, about the cause.
City Statement on the Lafayette Building:
The City of South Bend is deeply saddened by the fire at the Lafayette Building and the damage sustained to this historic structure. The Lafayette Building represents an important part of our community’s heritage, and we regret the loss and impact this incident will have on the surrounding area.
We are grateful for the swift and professional response of the South Bend Fire Department and first responders, whose efforts helped contain the fire and protect neighboring properties. Most importantly, we are thankful that no injuries were reported and that residents and responders remained safe.
The South Bend Fire Department is actively investigating the cause of the fire. In coordination with appropriate authorities and structural experts, the City will also assess the integrity of the building to determine the next steps.
The City Redevelopment Commission currently is the owner of the building. The City and RDC had been pursuing possible redevelopment partners and projects, but no active deal or partners are in place at this time. We will continue to share updates with the public as more information becomes available.
