Wisconsin Regulators Investigating Deadly Sun Prairie Explosion

VC Tech Employee Ruptured Natural Gas Line In Sun Prairie

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Wisconsin regulators are investigating whether a contractor who caused a fatal explosion in a Madison suburb violated state law.

A VC Tech employee ruptured a natural gas line in Sun Prairie in July while installing fiber optic lines, resulting in an explosion that killed firefighter Corey Barr. Court documents allege USIC Locating Services incorrectly marked the line’s location.

Bear Communications initially hired Jet Underground to do the work. VC Tech was set to finish the project. Jet Underground requested USIC mark the line but court documents allege the locating service incorrectly marked it.

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the state Public Service Commission on Dec. 17 began investigating a USIC complaint against VC Tech. USIC alleges VC Tech should have asked USIC to mark the line again.