Fire Departments from Epworth, Centralia-Peosta and Bernard responded to a report of a house explosion with three people injured at a private residence located at 16227 Bakey Lane. The Dubuque County E911 Center received the call at 11:53 a.m. Upon arrival of Fire and EMS crews, three injured were transported to Mercy Hospital in Dubuque by the Centralia-Peosta and Epworth Ambulances. The patients were later airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with burn injuries. The three injured were contractors doing work in the basement of the residence when the explosion occurred. The occupants of the home were able to escape without injury. The explosion and fire did heavy damage to the residence. No damage estimate is available at this time. Farley Fire Department responded with the Dubuque County Firefighters Association Air Trailer. The State Fire Marshal was called in to investigate the fire along with members of the Dubuque County Sheriffs Office and the Epworth Fire Department. The fire remains under investigation. Also assisting at the scene was the Epworth and Cascade Police Departments and Alliant Energy. One firefighter was treated and released from Mercy Hospital after being checked for heat related issues. Firefighters remained on the scene for 7 hours.
