Dubuque, IA – April 26, 2025, 12:37 PM:
A residential structure fire at 751 Alta Vista Street in Dubuque sent flames and thick smoke billowing into the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. The Dubuque Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call at 12:36 PM from a neighbor who reported smoke emanating from the adjoining residence. Within 30 seconds, the Dubuque Fire Department was dispatched. Initial response vehicles included Battalion 1, Truck 4, Medic 4, Engine 1, Engine 5, Truck 1, and Engine 6, totaling 14 firefighters at the scene.

Reports indicate that Truck 4 and Battalion 1 arrived on scene within three minutes of dispatch. Responders observed light white smoke issuing from a two-story open window. After conducting a thorough walk-around, Truck 4’s crew and Battalion 1 quickly established an on-scene command—the Alta Vista Command—and declared the situation a working fire. Due to locked front doors and apparent vacancy in the residence, the crew forced entry, discovering a densely banked layer of smoke near the floor. Within eight minutes of arrival, the fire attack crew had doused the kitchen flames with water, where an orange glow revealed the active fire.

During the operation, Dubuque Police Department officers confirmed that the occupants had safely evacuated the premises, though a pet dog remained inside. A dedicated search crew entered the building to locate the dog, which was later found deceased from apparent smoke inhalation. After sustained efforts, the attack crew successfully knocked down the fire in just four minutes once the extinguishment began. Subsequently, large volumes of smoke trapped on both floors, as well as in the basement and attic, were cleared from the structure using high-powered fans.

Preliminary investigations by fire officials determined that the fire was accidental, triggered by moving boxes placed atop the stove with the knob inadvertently left turned on. The structural damage has rendered the residence uninhabitable. Although the new tenants had planned to move in that day, alternative housing arrangements have been made. The property owner has been notified and has deployed a crew to assess the extent of the damages, with overall losses estimated at approximately $30,000. Fortunately, no injuries to responders were reported during the incident.