SHAWANO COUNTY, Wis. – The defendant, Samuel Armstrong, has responded to the lawsuit regarding the bonfire explosion that injured numerous current and former Pulaski High School students, denying all but one allegation. The incident occurred on October 14, 2022, at a property in the town of Maple Grove. As per the response, Armstrong states that he was asked to move a plastic container of fuel near the bonfire, but denies the remaining allegations due to lack of knowledge or information.
In addition to denying the allegations, Armstrong has listed several affirmative defenses, including the assertion that the alleged damages may have been the result of actions by third parties or entities, for which the defendants cannot be held liable. The response also suggests that the plaintiff may have failed to exercise due care for his safety, and that this failure may have led to his injuries.
The lawsuit requests for the case to be dismissed or for a jury trial, indicating that the legal process is ongoing. Meanwhile, the other defendant, Allan Eron, has not yet responded to the suit. Armstrong is the only one facing charges in adult criminal court, with a plea hearing scheduled for February 5.
According to the criminal complaint, police responded to the address in Maple Grove after multiple teens were admitted to local hospitals following the explosion. Witnesses have provided detailed accounts of the events leading up to the explosion, with one person mentioning that Armstrong threw a drum into the flames of the fire, resulting in a large eruption of flame and multiple people being burned.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department has stated that at least 17 teenagers suffered burn injuries out of approximately 60 individuals present at the bonfire. No court dates are currently scheduled. This incident has caused significant harm and legal proceedings are underway to address the consequences of the explosion.