LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Smoke began pouring from the Kerns Hotel in Lansing on December 11, 1934.

Around 5 a.m., lawmakers from across Michigan were asleep in the hotel, in town for a special session of the Legislature.

By the time the flames were out, seven Michigan legislators and 25 other guests had lost their lives.

The Kerns Hotel fire remains one of the worst tragedies in the state’s political history and led to stronger fire safety standards in hotels across Michigan.

Copyright 2025 WILX. All rights reserved.

See Full Page