MILWAUKEE---The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Student Union was heavily damaged by a fire that started around 1:30 Wednesday morning.

No one was in the building or injured.

Students are on break until January 14 and classes resume as normal in the academic building at that time.

Upon first review, the fire inspector believes the cause may have been electrical.

The building is being secured for safety.

MIAD President Neil Hoffman said in a statement:

"Given the importance of the building as our students' gathering place, and its historic significance, we are devastated by the fire and making plans to move forward as soon as possible."

The interior was designed and built by Interior Architecture & Design student Kyle Diener '12.

The building was built around 1889 and over the years served as a number of saloons before MIAD bought it in 1996.

Back in 1982, the building survived the "Third Ward Fire".

Fire Fighters said the building is saved and can be used again.

The damage is estimated at $70,000.