The most destructive fire of more recent years was that which started near Hinckley, Minnesota, September 1, 1894. While the area burned over was less than in some other great fires, the loss of life and property was very heavy. Hinckley and six other towns were destroyed; about 500 lives were lost, more than 2,000 persons were left destitute, and the estimated loss in property of various kinds was $25,000,000. Except for the heroic conduct of locomotive engineers and other railroad men the loss of life would have been much greater.

This fire was all the more deplorable, because it was wholly unnecessary. For many days before the high wind came and drove it into uncontrollable fury, it was burning slowly close to the town of Hinckley, and could have been put out.

Grand Forks Daily Herald, Grand Forks, ND 22 Sept 1908
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!