IN THIS PODCAST: Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen & Kaci Johnson, of Bonanazaville, join Amy & JJ to remember the Great Fargo Fire.
125 years ago today the Great Fargo Fire of 1893 destroyed 31 blocks and most of downtown Fargo.
Because of the devastation, 10 years later, Fargo established it’s first full-time, paid Fire Department.
June 7, 1893 was a windy, warm day, nearly 90 degrees and 30 mile-an-hour gusts. About 160 acres burned and over 200 structures were lost.
It seemed to be the perfect storm. The store next to where the fire started was a gun shop, which exacerbated the problem. The hose company across the street was out watering the roads to prevent dust. And, the call boxes used to alert the fire department at that time were locked to prevent false alarms… and the store owners nearest the start of the fire couldn’t find the key.
To see more about the Fargo Fire, visit
Bonanzaville
! “Looking back 125 years: The Fargo Fire of 1893” is an exhibit now at Bonanzaville.
See pictures of the fire here:
A view of the start of the Fargo Fire – then & now (Fargo Fire Dept)
Our guests: Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen (top), Kaci Johnson of Bonanzaville (bottom)
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Follow Amy on Twitter @AmyKFGO. Follow JJ on Twitter @JJGodon701.)
