DATE & TIME: May 10 @ 4:52am
INCIDENT TYPE: Residential Structure Fire
ADDRESS/LOCATION: 3775 Hillcrest Road - Dubuque

The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 4:52 AM from a resident reporting his deck was on fire. The Dubuque Fire Department was dispatched to the scene within 17 seconds. Initial responding vehicles included Engine 2, Medic 2, Truck 4, Engine 5, Battalion 1,Truck 1, and Engine 3. The response brought 16 firefighters in total for the fire. 

Engine 2 and Medic 2 from the JFK Fire Station arrived on scene within 4 minutes of being dispatched and declared a working fire with an orange glow to the rear of the residence. Engine 2 conducted a walk-around and established Command declaring heavy fire on the rear deck. A fire hose was charged with water and stretched to the rear near the deck. The fire was extinguished on the exterior of the residence. A second crew made entry through the front door to extinguish fire in the kitchen and dining room. Firefighter were able to knockdown the fire before it extended further into the attic. The residence was full of smoke and ejected with fans. The fire was determined to be accidental due to discarded a cigarette the night prior in an ashtray on the deck. The home was habitable though utilities had to be shut off. The tenant is working with his landlord to make further arrangements. Losses were estimated at $28,000.

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

Division Chief Dave Grass

Media Contacts:  
Division Chief - Shift 1, 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.