25th Anniversary: Thanksgiving Day Fire

Thanksgiving Day Fire, 1982

Excerpt:

The 25th anniversary of the Thanksgiving Day fire that destroyed Northwestern National Bank (now Wells Fargo) in downtown Minneapolis is fast approaching. The fire was, at the time, the largest office fire in US history and caused an estimated $100 million in damages. The flames burned for four days and demanded the efforts of 180 firefighters. Amazingly, the first five floors of the bank building were untouched by fire. Charles Lindberg’s first plane, a "Jenny" on display in the lobby was unscathed (Lucky Lindy lives on), as were the safe deposit boxes and vault.

A new emergency plan — quickly put into place along with computer backup files stored four blocks away (new technology in those days) — allowed the bank to continue business the next day. By the following Monday, 1,500 team members were working from new office spaces throughout town.

Minneapolis Thanksgiving Day Fire

Comment: A BCP plan was in place! Primitive by today's standards, I'm sure! We have coworkers who remember the fire!