DATE & TIME:  December 30 at 7:46pm
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
ADDRESS/LOCATION: 520 Stewart Street

The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 7:46 PM from a resident reporting a fire in his basement after his smoke detectors sounded. The Dubuque Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 7:47 PM. Initial responding vehicles included Ladder 512, Medic 554, Command 528, Engine 501, Ladder 511, Engine 505, and Engine 502. The response brought 16 firefighters in total on the initial alarm.

The first unit, Ladder 512 from Fire Station 4, arrived on scene within 1 minute of dispatch, established command and conducted a size-up reporting fire visible in the basement through a window. Smoke was exiting at the roof line and at the front door. A hose line and water can were taken to the basement. The resident reported all occupants were out of the house uninjured though two cats remained inside. The fire was extinguished by firefighters within four minutes of arrival with no extension beyond the clothes dryer. Fans had to be used to strategically remove all the smoke and toxins. The fire was determined to be a caused by the dryer after investigation by the Dubuque Fire Department investigator. The residence was determined to be habitable and all occupants were able to return to their home. Damages were estimated at less than $1000. All cats were accounted for and also unharmed.

The Dubuque Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Dubuque Police Department. There were no responder injuries reported.

Division Chief Dave Grass

Media Contacts:  
Division Chief Dave Grass, 563.589.4172 Dgrass@cityofdubuque.org
Deputy Chief Kevin Esser, 563.589.4161, Kesser@cityofdubuque.org

Please do not reply to this message. For incident-specific information, please contact the staff identified in the message above.  For general fire and emergency medical services information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/fire or contact the Dubuque Fire Department at 563.589.4160 or fire@cityofdubuque.org.  

In an emergency, always call 9-1-1. For non-emergency dispatch, call 563.589.4415.