DATE & TIME:  Sunday, April 21, 2024 
INCIDENT TYPE:  Dubuque Fire Department- Structure Fire
ADDRESS/LOCATION: 1780 Hale St, Dubuque Iowa 

The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call on Sunday, April 21st, at 4:03 PM from a passerby reporting smoke coming from a house. The Dubuque Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 4:04 PM.  Initial responding vehicles included Command 528, Chief 521, Ladder 512, Engine 505, Engine 502, Engine 503, Engine 501, Ladder 511, and Medic 554. The response brought 17 firefighters in total on the initial alarm.

The first unit, Ladder 512, arrived on scene within 2 minutes of dispatch, established command, conducted a size up with smoke showing from the exterior of the two-story, single-family home. Initial fire crews entered the structure to conduct a search for occupants and locate the fire.  Crews reported moderate smoke conditions inside the building and high heat on the first floor.  Firefighters located three pets inside the structure, removed them and supporting crews from Dubuque Fire and Dubuque Police provided immediate first aid. Unfortunately, despite the team's best efforts utilizing pet CPR and oxygen, 2 pets, a dog and a cat, were unable to be resuscitated. 1 pet, a cat, was revived and transported to an emergency veterinarian by family friends.   Crews worked to identify the location of the fire, conduct a primary and secondary search of the home, and clear the building of smoke.  The fire was extinguished within 5 minutes of arrival.  Crews worked to confirm no further extension within the residence.  The fire is currently under investigation by the Dubuque Fire Marshal.  The home was deemed uninhabitable, and 2 residents were relocated for the evening.   

The Dubuque Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Dubuque Police Department, critical incident information was obtained and relayed by Dubuque Dispatch. There were no injuries to responders reported.

Media Contacts:  

Fire Chief Amy Scheller, 563-543-6521, aschelle@cityofdubuque.org

Fire Marshal 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.