Weekend Fires in Dubuque County Cause Well Over $100,000 in Damage

It was a busy weekend for firefighters across the Dubuque-land area, as crews responded to three separate fires between Friday night and Sunday evening. While no lives were lost, one person was injured, a home was left uninhabitable, and a large machine shed was completely destroyed, with an estimated $100,000 in damage.

According to information released by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, the first fire happened late Friday night, January 23rd, around 11:43 PM, at 7034 Then Road. Deputies and firefighters from Epworth, Farley, and Centralia arrived to find a 40-foot by 120-foot machine shed, containing welding equipment, fully engulfed in flames.

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The building, owned by Kenneth Hosch, was a total loss, with damages estimated at $100,000. Fire crews were able to stop the flames from spreading to nearby buildings, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. Police report that the fire does not appear suspicious.

Two more fires followed on Sunday evening, January 25th, according to the Dubuque Fire Department. The first call came in around 6:36 PM at a storage facility located at 8205 Seippel Court. Firefighters encountered “heavy fire conditions,” meaning the flames were already well-established when crews arrived. The fire started in one central storage unit and spread to neighboring units. Everyone had already evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Firefighters were able to contain the damage and prevent it from spreading further.

Later that evening, around 8:41 PM, crews were called to a house fire at 2222 Central Avenue (picture below). Smoke was found inside the home, and two adults were confirmed to be inside at the time. One adult male was treated and taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Fire Department. The home was later deemed uninhabitable.

Both the Dubuque Fire Department and the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office say all three fires appear to have been unintentional, but investigations are still underway.

Read More: Airline Inn Fire Destroys Highway 61 Landmark in Dubuque

Weekends like this are a sobering reminder that fires can happen fast, especially during our dry winters; make sure to check smoke detectors, use space heaters carefully, and be mindful if you are a smoker or use candles in your home.