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The Great Butter Fire Trivia Quiz

The Great Butter Fire made national news and caused people all over to smile. But it was serious business.

A multiple-choice quiz by Rehaberpro. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Rehaberpro

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
393,135

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
192

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what mid-western city did the butter fire occur? It has been called "Athens of the Mid-West", "Madcity", "Four Lakes City", and "72 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality". Hint

Madison, South Dakota

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, Indiana

Madison, Illinois

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Question 2 of 10

2. Central Storage and Warehouse was reported to the fire department at 3:31pm on May 3, 1991. How far away was the nearest fire station? Hint

Five miles

Across the street

Two miles

In another town

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Question 3 of 10

3. It is referred to as the "Great Butter Fire". Which of these was NOT also stored at Central Storage? Hint

Lard

Canned hams

Hot dogs

Yogurt

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Question 4 of 10

4. In the early stages of the fire, what issues did the fire personnel face? Hint

Collapsing walls so the fire could not be fought on the inside

Water ineffective in grease fires

Ammonia tanks in danger of exploding

All of these

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Question 5 of 10

5. How long did it take for the fire to be contained and how long before it was declared out? Hint

Two days to contain, seven out

One day to contain, six out

Four days to contain, nine out

Three days to contain, seven days out

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was estimated to be the market value of the products lost in the fire? Hint

$100,000,000

$25,000,000

$1,000,000

$50,000,000

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Question 7 of 10

7. The stories on the fire are legend. Which of these did NOT occur? Hint

Runoff to sewers polluted a river and lake

A fireman became trapped up to his neck in butter and hot dogs

Onlookers tried to retrive food items

Super heated hot dogs exploded and fell blocks away

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Question 8 of 10

8. The cleanup after the fire included all but one of the following. Hint

Closed schools were reopened.

Trees and lawns were lost.

Streets were oil slick.

Smell of rotten butter prevailed

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Question 9 of 10

9. Putting wages and related items aside as part of the cost of fighting the fire, what single cost was the most expensive? Hint

Fire hoses

Fireman boots

Fireman hats

Fire fighting uniforms

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Question 10 of 10

10. What did fire inspectors declare as the cause of the fire? Hint

Arson

Careless smoker

Sparks from a battery propelled fork-lift

Inadequate wiring

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what mid-western city did the butter fire occur? It has been called "Athens of the Mid-West", "Madcity", "Four Lakes City", and "72 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality".

Answer: Madison, Wisconsin

Life Magazine in a 1940s feature article dubbed Madison the "Athens of the Mid-West; "Four Lakes" underscores its recreational advantages; "Madcity" came out as reputation as a laid back party town; 72 square miles was a name bestowed by a former frustrated governor.

2. Central Storage and Warehouse was reported to the fire department at 3:31pm on May 3, 1991. How far away was the nearest fire station?

Answer: Across the street

Fire Station #5 was across the street. As first responders they held the fire under control until reinforcements arrived from other stations. Concern was the mixed use neighborhood that contained many small businesses and apartments and single family dwelling were in danger. Three thousand residents had to be evacuated.

3. It is referred to as the "Great Butter Fire". Which of these was NOT also stored at Central Storage?

Answer: Yogurt

Most of the products were being stored by the Oscar Meyer Company nearby. Central Storage was 500,000 square feet and housed 50 million pounds of frozen food.

4. In the early stages of the fire, what issues did the fire personnel face?

Answer: All of these

At first the fire was fought on the inside but when the walls began to give way and the fire spread to a second building, it had to be handled on the outside. Rivers of flaming grease, estimated to two-three feet deep flowed. Nearby ammonia tanks had to be protected from possible explosion. Safety suggests that a grease fire be stifled by shutting off oxygen as water is ineffective but this was the only weapon the firemen had. Environmental experts were called as to the danger through the sewer system of causing damage to lakes and streams.

5. How long did it take for the fire to be contained and how long before it was declared out?

Answer: Two days to contain, seven out

The fire was contained in two days but continued to smolder an additional five days until declared out.

6. What was estimated to be the market value of the products lost in the fire?

Answer: $100,000,000

The estimate was $100,000,000 but consider that the figure is in 1991 dollars. In 2018 it would have been over 200 million.

7. The stories on the fire are legend. Which of these did NOT occur?

Answer: Onlookers tried to retrive food items

The area was well cordoned off so onlookers were not allowed any where near the fire in addition to the 3000 people evacuated. The Yahara River and Lake Monona were effected with the runoff.

8. The cleanup after the fire included all but one of the following.

Answer: Closed schools were reopened.

The cleanup lasted for weeks. There were no schools in the immediate area. Streets were dangerous, the neighborhood smelled, and carefully maintained lawns had to be reclaimed.

9. Putting wages and related items aside as part of the cost of fighting the fire, what single cost was the most expensive?

Answer: Fire fighting uniforms

The fire-fighting uniforms were so soaked with the fire residue that it cost somewhere between $400,000 and $500,000 to replace them.

10. What did fire inspectors declare as the cause of the fire?

Answer: Sparks from a battery propelled fork-lift

Bringing a flame or spark near combustible grease is a disaster waiting to happen. Hold a quarter pound butter wrapper to a flame and stand back.

Source: Author Rehaberpro

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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