1/4/2010:
The Fargo Forum reported the story of an enormous blaze in the town of Maxbass, North Dakota, on this date in 1909. Although the fire itself drew the usual crowds to the scene, it was the fire brigade that caused the real sensation that night.
A few days before, on the evening of January 1st, many of the residents of Maxbass dressed to the hilt for the community ball. The theme, a type of masquerade, was "nationalities of the world," and each guest attempted to represent his or her assigned country. Guests arrived in flamboyant costumes, bedecked in colorful robes, hats, and masks. The party began with great fanfare, and it looked like it was shaping up to be an excellent celebration.
Just across town from this masked ball, however, several residents were sitting down to dinner at the City restaurant, located inside the City Hotel. In the midst of the evening meal, the pleasant atmosphere was shattered when a large gasoline lamp suddenly exploded. Shocked, customers fled the building immediately, abandoning not only the restaurant, but their own dinners, to the flames.
Members of the fire brigade quickly responded to a call for help. Surprisingly to curious onlookers, however, many of the brigade's members arrived in full costumed attire, masks and all, having rushed to the scene from the masquerade ball. In their festive fashions, the firemen continued to battle the blaze. The newspaper later reported that the costumes "...made the scene picturesque" for onlookers.
Despite any distraction their costumes may have caused, firefighters were able to limit the the blaze to the restaurant and hotel, a nearby barbershop, and a single-room apartment flat. A mercantile store near the restaurant was valiantly saved, limiting total damages to $4,500.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. Monday (Evening ed.), January 4, 1909: p.2.