SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – Five years after a deadly explosion in downtown Sun Prairie, the landscape may look different, but the community spirit does not.

What You Need To Know

  • A gas leak led to an explosion in downtown Sun Prairie on July 10, 2018

  • The blast killed firefighter Cory Barr, and it leveled his pub

  • Since then, Sun Prairie has grown, and its community has stayed tight-knit

  • Fundraisers on the fifth anniversary of the explosion drew dozens 

On July 7, 2018, a gas leak was detected on the corner of Main and Bristol Streets. Firefighter Cory Barr jumped into action. He evacuated people from surrounding buildings, including his own bar, The Barr House.

Then, there was an explosion, leveling the pub and killing Cory Barr. He’s hailed a hero for saving lives and sacrificing his own.

Cory Barr left behind his wife Abby Barr and twin daughters.

Since then, Sun Prairie has gone through a lot of change. Surrounding buildings were damaged. The city has grown. The downtown area looks very different than it once did.

“It’s gotten busy,” Nichole Schick said. “In fact, the city is working on an expansion project, and beautification.”

“It feels like a small town, but it is not a small town,” Jenny Stebnitz said. Stebnitz and Schick own Sun Prairie Flowers on Main Street.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Madison is the fastest-growing city in Wisconsin. Suburb Sun Prairie comes in second place.

“After the explosion, that opened up land of course, sadly,” Stebnitz said. “But has given opportunity for new businesses to come in. There’s going to be new retail coming in, new apartments coming in, which brings new people. Good for everyone.”

“I feel like a lot of people have really come together in Sun Prairie,” Schick said. “The explosion reminded people what community means, and what it means to come together.”

That community spirit showed on the fifth anniversary of the explosion. Abby Barr hosted a class at her Burn Boot Camp and donated the proceeds in honor of her late husband.

“I picked the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to give money to, because they’ve been a big part of our lives since Cory passed in terms of support groups and providing resources,” she said. “I want to give back to them.”

The place was packed; dozens of people filled the fitness studio. It was a testament to the town’s “Sun Prairie Strong” motto, adopted after the blast.

“It keeps us rooted, and grounded, and gives us all a purpose,” Stebnitz said.

“[Sun Prairie Strong] just means sticking together, and taking care of your people, and doing what you can to make the world a better place,” Schick said.