There has been a number of actual fuse holders go bad because of some bad internal crimps. Maybe you had one that was close but went over the edge when it was hooked-up backwards. Probe the main wire just before the fuse. If you have power, probe it just after. If no power then you have your answer.
Wouldn't hurt to double check all other connections and grounds as well. The main battery usually grounds to the engine but the chassis ground is a smaller wire from it to the engine. It may have burned.