Mourners pay tribute to volunteer firefighter killed during explosion at Wisconsin foundry

Mourners honor firefighter killed in Wis. blast

ST. ANNA, Wis. — Firefighters and other mourners have gathered to remember a volunteer firefighter killed when a trash bin outside a Wisconsin foundry exploded.

Thirty-three-year-old Steven Koeser died Tuesday after firefighters sprayed water on a trash bin fire, which caused a reaction that led to the explosion at Bremer Manufacturing Co. in Calumet County. Eight other firefighters were injured.

Investigators say it could take several weeks to determine the exact cause of the blast.

Firefighters from several different departments arrived at Koeser’s funeral on Saturday in fire trucks, minibuses and vans.

David Harris of Milwaukee’s fire department says firefighters are brothers first and when one falls, they all lose a little bit of themselves.