Shawano, Wisconsin – In a Shawano County courtroom, Sam Armstrong faced sentencing for his involvement in an explosion at a bonfire near Pulaski that left over a dozen people injured. Armstrong, an 18-year-old, received a one-year jail sentence with the possibility of release after six months for good behavior, along with five years of probation.
The incident, which led to the injuries of multiple teenagers, occurred when Armstrong threw a barrel filled with diesel fuel and gasoline into the bonfire. According to reports, the explosion resulted in severe burns for some of the attendees, prompting police response to the scene in Maple Grove.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that Armstrong had been repeatedly urged to throw the barrel into the fire by someone at the gathering. Eventually, he followed through with the act, causing a sudden eruption of flames that caught several individuals off guard. Subsequently, a chaotic scene unfolded with people fleeing the area to escape the flames.
Following the incident, Armstrong admitted to consuming alcohol that night, detailing his intake of approximately six drinks, including Busch Light. Witnesses at the scene recounted the harrowing experience of feeling an intense wave of heat and witnessing individuals engulfed in flames. The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department reported that out of the 60 individuals present at the bonfire, at least 17 teenagers sustained burn injuries.
In the aftermath of the explosion, several victims, including Benjamin Van Asten, Isaac Nelson, Brady McAllister, Brandon Brzeczkowski, and their families, pursued civil lawsuits against Armstrong, Allan Eron, and Tyler Frisch to seek compensation for the damages they incurred. The legal proceedings have since been consolidated into a single case, with no trial date set as of yet.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with reckless behavior involving fire and flammable materials, underscoring the importance of exercising caution in such situations to prevent tragic outcomes.