J.J. Watt Donates $10,000 To Help Family Of Fallen Firefighter

SUN PRAIRIE, WI — Cory Barr, a captain with the Sun Prairie Volunteer Fire Department, was identified as the firefighter who died as a result of an explosion and fire in Downtown Sun Prairie. He leaves behind his wife Abby and twin daughters.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, home church of Cory and Abby, has established this fund to support Abby and her family during this devastating time. The church set up a GoFundMe fundraiser online to help.

Waukesha native, and Houston Texans NFL player J.J. Watt came up huge for the family, quietly donating $10,000 to the family's fundraiser this week.

The Explosion

According to one report, the blast was so large, the fire could be seen from 47 miles away.

Barr was reportedly responding to a gas leak Tuesday night when an explosion rocked the area, damaging several buildings and setting a fire with billowing smoke that could be seen for miles, according to one report.

“Trying to find the words, and not sure how I can," Abby Barr wrote in a Facebook post. "The husband, the father of my children, a son, an uncle, a brother, and so many other things was taken from this world tonight way too soon."

Gas Leak Reported

Authorities reported that the gas leak rupture took place at about 6:20 p.m. in the 100 block of West Main Street in Downtown Sun Prairie. Reports indicate that the explosion destroyed the Barr House - a local bar owned by the deceased Sun Prairie firefighter. Significant damage was also caused to a nearby pizza restaurant. Minor damage was reported at several nearby buildings.

WE Energies spokeswoman Amy Jahns said in a statement that workers for a private contractor punctured a 4-inch gas main, causing a leak that resulted in the explosion that rained debris around the downtown area and ignited vehicles parked in the area.

Multiple reports indicate that a second firefighter was hospitalized, and is in critical condition, and a third firefighter was admitted to a hospital. One police officer and seven civilians also were injured.

The Red Cross assisted evacuees at a shelter set up at Sun Prairie High School.

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Image Via GoFundMe