DATE & TIME: September 25 @ 9:57pm
INCIDENT TYPE: Residential Structure Fire
ADDRESS/LOCATION: 655 Edith Street - Dubuque

The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 9:57 PM from an occupant reporting an oven fire. The Dubuque Fire Department was dispatched to the scene 96 seconds after the 911 call. Initial responding vehicles included Engine 3, Engine 6, and Battalion 1. The response brought 8 firefighters in total for the fire initially. 

Engine 3 arrived on scene within 4 minutes discovering smoke coming from the peak of the roof. A working fire was declared. Battalion 1 upgraded the fire response to a full alarm. The alarm upgrade added Engine 1, Truck 1, Truck 4 and Medic 1 totally 19 firefighters after their arrival. 

As Engine 3 began their investigation, the fire flashed over and blew out the windows in the kitchen and living room. Engine 3 and Engine 6 charged two hose lines with water and stretched them to the left side and rear to attack the fire. Battalion 1 established Edith Command. The fire attack crews entered the front and rear doors to attack fire on the first floor. The attack crews knocked the fire down after five minutes of extinguishment. A large volume of smoke on the main floor, basement and attic had to be ejected with fans. The fire was determined to be accidental due to unattended cooking oil being heated on the stove top. The home was determined to be uninhabitable. The owners were assisted by the Red Cross on scene and provided lodging for the evening. The property owner was notified at work and responded to the scene to ensure her family was okay. Losses were estimated at $60,000. Three children and two adults made it out to safety passing the fire. Fire crews remained on scene for 2 1/2 hours overhauling and securing the residence while assisting the occupants. 

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

Battalion Chief Dave Grass

Media Contacts:  
Battalion Chief - Shift 3, 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.