A house fire in Dubuque late Thursday night left a home unlivable but no one hurt, officials said. Firefighters were called to the 600 block of Edith St. just before 10 p.m. after someone called 911 to report flames in the kitchen. Crews arrived within four minutes and saw smoke coming from the roof.
As firefighters began their search, the blaze flashed over, blowing out windows in the kitchen and living room. Crews attacked the flames from multiple sides and knocked the fire down in about five minutes. Heavy smoke forced ventilation of the main floor, basement and attic.
Investigators said the fire was accidental, caused by cooking oil left unattended on the stove. The house was declared uninhabitable, with damages estimated at $60,000. Three children and two adults escaped without injury, and no firefighters were hurt. The Red Cross is helping the family displaced by the fire. Fire crews stayed on scene for more than two hours to secure the house.
