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Sun Prairie Police Days From Possibly Referring Potential Charges In Deadly Blast

Authorities: Construction Crew Struck Gas Main Resulting In Explosion

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Smoke from Sun Prairie explosion
A large plume of smoke from a massive fire is seen in Sun Prairie, Wis., Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Witnesses said the fire broke out after a loud boom Tuesday night shook the community. Police blocked off downtown streets from traffic and onlookers. Todd Richmond/AP Photo

Police say they’ll soon decide whether to recommend prosecutors file charges in connection with a natural gas explosion that killed a Wisconsin firefighter.

Authorities say a construction crew struck a gas main in downtown Sun Prairie on July 10, resulting in an explosion. Firefighter Cory Barr was killed as he helped evacuate people prior to the blast. Eleven other people were hurt. Six buildings were destroyed.

Bear Communications has said subcontractor VC Tech Inc. was installing a fiber optics network in the area before the explosion. It’s not clear if that crew struck the main.

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Sun Prairie Police Lt. Kevin Konopacki told reporters during a news conference Monday that investigators are days away from deciding whether to recommend criminal charges. He declined further comment.