SUN PRAIRIE, WI (WTAQ) – A July 10 explosion in Sun Prairie has been determined to be a result of miscommunication between companies involved in an underground fiber-optic cable installation.
Sun Prairie Police Chief Patrick Anhalt says there is not probable cause to determine that a crime was committed, and the investigation has been classified as inactive.
During the course of the investigation, Chief Anhalt says they investigated 45 pieces of evidence and conducted 67 interviews.
Anhalt says the investigation determined that Verizon Wireless was contracted for the install project.
Verizon Wireless sub-contracted with Bear Communications for the projects, but switched to Jet Underground before the project began.
Anhalt says Bear Communication subcontracted with VC Tech which proceded with the project.
The investigation determined that a We Energies gas line was cut through, and escaping gas found an unidentified ignition source that caused the explosion.
It was also determined that the intersection and location where the gas line was struck was not completely marked and that there was a miscommunication by the multiple contractors involved in the project, causing inaccurate information to be passed along.
In the explosion, Sun Prairie Fire Department Captain Cory Barr was killed and another firefighter was badly injured.
