Explosion Destroys Home, Shakes Neighborhood

An explosion rocked an area of Dubuque on Monday evening after a gas leak was reported along the lower part of Loras Boulevard. Fire officials were initially called for a contractor who had struck a natural gas main. Crews were working at the scene to fix the leak when the explosion happened around 5:45pm. According to fire officials, a Dubuque firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by debris – otherwise, no additional injuries were reported. Residents from blocks away not only said they heard the blast, but felt it shake their homes as well. The explosion in the 400 block of Loras Boulevard destroyed the home and caused significant damage to many others. Fire officials said more than two dozen individuals living nearby would be temporarily displaced while their homes are being repaired. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.