The fire on Jan. 26, 1920, came when the temperatures were in the 20s, which led to water used to fight the flames to freeze and cover the building in ice.

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

A photo from the aftermath of the Jan. 26, 1920, blaze that destroyed the Hofman Hotel

Photo from the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library

A photo from the aftermath of the Jan. 26, 1920, blaze that destroyed the Hofman Hotel

From the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library