Two Fires at One Dubuque Home, Damages Over $200K

The Dubuque Fire Department spent much of yesterday (02/02/26) fighting two separate blazes at a single location in Dubuque.

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According to a news release, fire crews were first dispatched at 9:47 AM to a reported residential structure fire at 1265 Thomas Place. Multiple units responded quickly after reports of smoke coming from the home. Dispatchers confirmed all residents had safely evacuated before firefighters arrived.

Engine 6 was first on scene just minutes later and initially reported no visible smoke or fire from the outside. However, once crews made entry, they encountered active fire, smoke, and heat conditions on the first floor. Firefighters quickly deployed a hose line, beginning with an exterior attack before transitioning inside. The fire was knocked down within five minutes of arrival, with no extension beyond the room where it started. Crews completed overhaul operations, and all units eventually cleared the scene. The cause of that fire remains under investigation by the Assistant Fire Marshal.

Just hours later, at around 1:00 PM, firefighters were called back to the same address after flames were reported coming from the attic. The second response included a combination of engines, trucks, and command staff, eight in total. Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire conditions and immediately declared a defensive strategy, attacking the fire from the exterior.

As more units arrived, firefighters deployed multiple hose lines and a master stream to bring the fire under control. Once conditions improved, crews transitioned to interior operations to fully extinguish the remaining fire on the second floor and attic. Firefighters rotated through the structure for over an hour to address hot spots and lingering heat. The second fire was then declared fully extinguished at around 2:50 PM; however, fire crews remained on scene until 6 PM.

Combined damage from the two incidents is significant, with property losses estimated at $179,000 and contents losses at $49,000, pushing total damages well over $200,000. Additionally, the home has been deemed uninhabitable.

Thankfully, no residents or pets were injured in either incident. One firefighter sustained a minor injury but was able to continue working the scene. Investigators are continuing to determine the cause of both fires.