Dubuque County Commercial Structure Fire Results in Total Loss; $1 Million in Damages

A commercial building housing multiple trucking and repair businesses in Cascade, Iowa, was destroyed by an afternoon fire that resulted in an estimated $1 million in damage.

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According to a press release from the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 3:51 PM. on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, to 951 Highway 136 after a structure fire was reported. Deputies responded alongside fire departments from Cascade, Monticello, Farley, Bernard, and Dyersville.

Additional details reported by the Telegraph Herald indicate that an employee at the site first noticed the smell of smoke before the fire was called in. By the time the first firefighters arrived, the blaze had already spread significantly. Cascade Fire Department Assistant Chief Bert Kraai told the newspaper that the fire appeared to originate in the southeast corner of the building and quickly grew until the structure was largely engulfed. Reports across Facebook indicated that nearby citizens also heard some explosions and loud booms.

Fire crews from six departments worked together to bring the fire under control by about 5:30 PM. Reports noted that the presence of fuel and heavy equipment made suppression efforts difficult. The sheriff’s office stated that the building housed three companies: Green Truck Line Inc., Finzel Repair, and Noonan Trucking LLC. The contents included a service truck, tools, and other repair equipment, all of which were lost in the fire. Additionally, three semi tractor trailers were inside the building at the time.

Building owner Mike Green has owned the property for 26 years, but was not on site when the fire started. The facility had been used both as a repair shop and as rental space for truck owners. Thankfully no one was injured in the blaze.

Crews remained on scene into the evening to extinguish hot spots and prevent rekindling, using heavy equipment to assist with overhaul operations. Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The sheriff’s office stated that the cause does not appear to be suspicious at this time.