Wis. man who launched flare that caused $50M fire at meatpacking plant gets 90 days in jail

Wis. man gets 90 days in jail for $50 million fire

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee man who launched a military flare that sparked a major fire at a meatpacking plant has been sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Twenty-five-year-old Kurtis J. Popp received the same sentence Monday that his 23-year-old brother, Joshua J. Popp, did earlier this month. They must spend 30 days in jail for the next three Julys, perform 500 hours of community service and spend three years on probation.

The flare the brothers launched in July landed on the roof of the Patrick Cudahy Inc. plant in a Milwaukee suburb, causing more than $50 million in damage.

Kurtis Popp apologized to his family and the community on Monday. He told the judge he was thankful no one was hurt, and he promised he’d never be in criminal court again.