The Minidoka Fire Poltergeist

In August 1919, a farmhouse near Minidoka, Idaho experienced a terrifying series of spontaneous fires that defied explanation. For weeks, objects burst into flames while investigators watched, unable to find any natural cause.

The Family

The Cranmer family:

• Idaho farmers
• Rural property
• Simple life
• Targeted by phenomena
• Terrorized for weeks

The Beginning

August 1919:

• Fires started
• Spontaneously
• Various locations
• In the house
• No apparent cause

The Phenomena

Fires erupted:

• In curtains
• On furniture
• In clothing
• On walls
• While watched

Impossible Fires

Witnesses noted:

• No ignition source
• Objects just caught fire
• Sometimes wet items
• Defied physics
• Terrifying

Investigators

Various officials:

• Fire department
• County officials
• Scientists
• Newspaper reporters
• All witnessed

What They Saw

Observers watched:

• Objects ignite
• Before their eyes
• No explanation
• Real phenomenon
• Documented

Duration

The events:

• Several weeks
• Daily occurrences
• Multiple fires
• Constant vigilance
• Exhausting

Theories

People suggested:

• Arson (ruled out)
• Chemical reactions
• Electrical issues
• Supernatural cause
• None proven

The Investigation

Experts found:

• No natural cause
• No accelerants
• No electrical fault
• Mystery complete
• Unexplained

The End

Fires stopped:

• As suddenly as started
• No explanation
• Family relieved
• Never returned
• One episode

Historical Context

1919 America:

• Limited science understanding
• Supernatural beliefs common
• But witnesses credible
• Documentation exists
• Real event

Significance

Minidoka case significant for:

• Multiple witnesses
• Official investigation
• Real fires
• No explanation
• Historical documentation

Legacy

The Minidoka Fire Poltergeist represents one of the best-documented fire poltergeist cases. The multiple witnesses, official investigation, and mysterious resolution ensure its place in paranormal history.