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The Latest: Subcontractor in vicinity of Wisconsin explosion

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In a view looking northwest from above, the aftermath of a gas explosion in downtown Sun Prairie, Wis., is seen Wednesday, July 11, 2018. At the top right of the image is the site of the former Barr House where the explosion originated and leveled the building. Sun Prairie Fire Department Capt. Cory Barr was killed Tuesday when a natural gas explosion leveled most of a city block, including the tavern Barr owned. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

MADISON, Wis. – The Latest on a fatal natural gas explosion in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (all times local):

3:10 p.m.

A communications company is clarifying where its subcontractor was working when a natural gas explosion killed a Wisconsin firefighter this week.

Authorities say a crew ruptured a gas main in downtown Sun Prairie on Tuesday, leading to an explosion that devastated a half-block and killed firefighter Corry Barr.

Verizon Wireless said Thursday it had contracted with Lawrence, Kansas-based Bear Communications for a fiber project in Sun Prairie. Bear released a statement Thursday saying a subcontractor was working “on site” but gave no details.

A Bear spokesman says the subcontractor was working in the “vicinity” of the explosion. He says the workers were evacuated ahead of the blast. He declined any additional comment.

It’s unclear whether the subcontractor was responsible for rupturing the line.

___

1:45 p.m.

A communications company says a subcontractor was working “on site” before an explosion that killed a Wisconsin firefighter this week. But it wasn’t immediately clear if the subcontractor was responsible for breaking a gas main ahead of the blast.

Verizon Wireless said Thursday it had contracted with Kansas-based Bear Communications for a fiber project in Sun Prairie, a Madison suburb.

Bear said in a statement to WISC-TV that its subcontractor was working “on site” but gave no other details. The company said “many questions” remain and it’s co-operating with investigators.

Bear didn’t immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press.

The blast Tuesday killed firefighter Cory Barr and devastated the city’s downtown area. Authorities have said a leak from a natural gas main struck by a contractor preceded the blast.

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