On Friday, November 27th, 2020 at 7:35 p.m. the Epworth Fire Department was notified by the Dubuque County 911 Center of a working structure fire located at 21686 Bethany Lane, Epworth. Upon arrival, firefighters found flames and heavy smoke on the outside of the home near the roofline. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire and the fire was noticed by a neighbor who called 911. The home is occupied by Thomas and Rita Clemen. Firefighters remained on the scene for an hour and a half. The Epworth Fire Department was also assisted at the scene by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office and Maquoketa Valley REC. The fire started in an outside motion light and is ruled accidental. Damage is estimated at $20,000 and there were no injuries.