How did barrel of fuel get near a Pulaski-area bonfire? What we know so far about explosion that injured dozens

MAPLE GROVE − Four victims, some in critical condition, remained hospitalized in burn centers across Wisconsin on Thursday as authorities continued to piece together the events that led to an explosion at a bonfire west of Pulaski last Friday night.

Shawano County sheriff's officials said a 55-gallon drum about one-quarter full of a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel caused an explosion shortly before 11 p.m. Oct. 14. The explosion occurred during a party in Maple Grove in eastern Shawano County.

Officials have said 17 people, many with burns, were taken to Green Bay-area hospitals, but as many as 40 people in total suffered some sort of injury, Sheriff's Lt. Chris Madle said. Victims were driven to hospitals by friends and family, but none of the attendees called emergency services, possibly out of confusion and possibly out of fear of being punished for underage drinking.

Here's what we know, based on reports from Shawano County Chief Deputy George Lenzner and other officials. The sheriff's office continues its investigation:

How did a drum containing flammable liquid get onto the fire?

Sheriff's officials have not said. They might still be pursuing the answer as they interview people who were present at the bonfire.

Through interviews so far, sheriff's officials determined the explosion happened between 10:50 and 10:55 p.m.

How big a crowd attended the party?

Authorities have said roughly 60 people attended. Officials so far have been able to interview and get "verbal or written" statements from approximately 20 of them. Those in attendance included dozens of past and current students of the Pulaski Community School District.

Nobody called emergency services about the explosion. Why not?

Sheriff's officials don't know for certain but speculate that panic, fear of punishment and a possible belief they could reach hospitals faster in a car than by waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

If underage drinking was occurring at the party, will the drinkers face consequences?

No. Officials said they don't condone underage drinking, but are focused on the larger issue of investigating the fire.

"Based on the totality of this incident," a statement from Lenzner's office said Thursday morning, "there is a much larger issue our office needs to thoroughly investigate."

How were Shawano County sheriff's officials notified?

Because the burn victims went to Green Bay hospitals, Green Bay police were the first law-enforcement agency to learn of the large number of people who suffered or were being examined for burns. They notified deputies in Shawano County about 1:10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Deputies notified Shawano County's detective division; detectives began investigating.

How long will it take to complete the investigation?

Except to say that the investigation is "very extensive" and will be "lengthy," officials have not placed a time frame on it or indicated whether they expect criminal charges to result.

"We understand this is an extremely fragile situation, where many individuals who have come forward may be dealing with emotional, mental, and/or physical related matters that will obviously take time to work through," Lenzner wrote Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: What we know so far on Pulaski bonfire explosion and what we don't