On Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:42 p.m. the Dubuque County 911 Center took a report of a large structure fire in the area of Then Road and Pleasant Grove Road south of Epworth. The 911 caller could see the flames and smoke from Placid Road. Dubuque County Sheriffs Deputies arrived on the scene advising the machine shed was fully involved with the roof already collapsed inside the structure. The 40x120 foot machine shed was located at the Ken and Darla Hosch farm, 7034 Then Road, rural Epworth. The Epworth Fire Department arrived on scene deploying the blitz-fire attack line as well three additional handlines to contain the fire. Mutual aid assistance from the Farley and Centralia-Peosta Fire Departments assisting on scene as well as with water shuttle. Firefighters battled the fire in temperatures at 10 degrees below zero with windchills between 20-25 below zero. No injuries were reported however two farm dogs perished in the building. Firefighters remained on the scene for over four hours and returned to service at 530 am. Damage is expected to exceed $100,000 with the building and contents being a total loss. The machine shed housed a welding shop, farm equipment and other various tools and equipment. The fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature and was likely caused by a woodburning stove in the building.