What specific event caused the people of Shirdi to stop viewing Baba as a madman and begin to revere him?

The turning point for the villagers of Shirdi was a miraculous event involving lamps. Chapter 0 recounts that Maharaj was fond of lighting lamps in the Masjid. When the local oil-men and grocers refused to provide him with oil, he simply put water in the lamps instead. While he was doing this, the people were further convinced of his madness. However, when the lamps lit with a match and stayed burning all night, the villagers were amazed. This miracle caused them to surrender to Maharaj, apologize for insulting him, and understand his true nature.