Two Arrested in Massive Wisconsin Plant Fire

July 19, 2009
Angry residents are lashing out at the two brothers suspected of igniting the massive fire at the Patrick Cudahy plant.

CUDAHY, Wis. --

Angry residents are lashing out at the two brothers suspected of igniting the massive fire at the Patrick Cudahy plant.

Photos: Patrick Cudahy Plant On Fire, Area Evacuated

One of the brothers was released from jail Friday afternoon. The other is home in California, but both are expected in court next week to face charges.

According to the arrest report, the brothers were at their parents' home down the block lighting off fireworks when one of the men launched a military flare that went up in the sky and came down on the Cudahy plant, and sparked the largest structure fire in Wisconsin history.

While the fire may be out, plant employees and residents from the surrounding neighborhood are still fuming. Donna Morris, who was evacuated during the fire, is still feeling the emotional and physical effects of the Cudahy plant fire.

"I'm going to have permanent damage now because of this," Morris said.

As the blaze grew out of control earlier this month, Morris and her five children, along with hundreds of her neighbors, were evacuated from their homes. Her fear from that day has been replaced by frustration that the fire that caused so much chaos was preventable.

"The anger isnt going to go away for a long time," Morris said.

Police said two brothers are responsible for the whole mess.

According to an arrest report, Kurtis Popp of Milwaukee and Joshua Popp of California were lighting off fireworks in their parents' backyard near the Cudahy plant. Joshua Popp recently got out of the Marines, and had a military slap flare with him. Joshua told police he was showing Kurtis how the flare worked when "Kurtis initiated the flare in the direction of the Patrick Cudahy plant."

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