Eminem's childhood home -- the same pad he pictured on the  cover of his new album, "The Marshall Mathers LP 2" -- was badly burned in a  fire yesterday ... officials say.

The 767 square foot, 2-story bungalow  -- located right near 8 Mile in Detroit -- sustained damage to the second floor.  Fire crews were able to put out the flames before it spread to the rest of the  home.

Officials say the blaze began around 6:20 pm Thursday evening. So  far, it's unclear how the fire began.

Public records show the home was  bought by Em's mom in 1987 for $19,900 -- it's changed hands roughly 10 times  since then. The home was eventually abandoned, and after failing to sell for  $500 at a recent auction, it's currently owned by a bank.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/08/.....z2k4j3A42C