1928 - International Oil Co. Explosion/Fire –

About 1:00 pm on July 3, 1928, a storage tank containing thousands of gallons of gasoline exploded causing a huge fire. The blast shook buildings throughout Minot. International Oils was located in the area of Third Street and Central Avenue North east. The fact that the blast occurred over the noon hour accounted for fewer people being injured or killed as many were out for their lunch break. Neighboring businesses were heavily damaged and continuously doused with water to keep them from also catching fire. In addition to the International Oil Co. offices and warehouse being destroyed or heavily damaged other businesses were affected. Those included the Minot Distributing Company, Midwest Sash & Door, International Harvester, Simmons Seed Co. and Minot Farmers Co-op Elevator.