Fire in roof unit of Historic Detroit Skyscraper

TheUpNorthState88

Happening now in Detroit. A fire at the historic Maccabees building. Contained to only the roof ac unit. What would make one of these commercial roof unit blaze up like this? Would love to hear theories from the pros here who have probably serviced these.

I would imagine these require regular maintenance. I’ve honestly never seen one of this scale catch on fire. Many thanks to the fine men and women of the Detroit Fire Department. The blaze is out.

mattmia2

probably a motor burning up. if it is a cooling tower some use wood slats although most use some sort of composite or metal or older ones used asbestos cement. could be refrigeration oil or just decades of accumulated grease and oil too.

glycol solutions are also flammable in higher concentrations, i believe that was one of the ways that fieros caught fire.

mattmia2

oh, it was the detorit public schools building when i went to wsu.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Does look like a water tower to me as well. Didn't think that would burn too easily. Someone probably bypassed the motor overloads.

109A_5

Looks like the outdoor unit (cooling tower) for a water chiller system. So motor or a bearing overheating, electrical wiring / equipment failure, contractor oopsy.