MAPLE GROVE (NBC 26) — Multiple people have been hospitalized with serious burns following what was described as a bonfire "explosion" Friday night, authorities said.
The Shawano County Sheriff's Office said its officers were advised early Saturday morning by the Brown County Dispatch Center that several people were at local Green Bay area hospitals with serious burns.
Shawano County deputies learned one of the victims indicated there was a bonfire explosion at a residence on Cedar Drive in the town of Maple Grove.
The sheriff's office said an unknown number of people were gathered for a bonfire when an accelerant was applied to the fire, causing the fire to expand out of control. Several people suffered burn injuries requiring medical attention.
The sheriff's office believes the incident took place just prior to 10:00 p.m. Friday.
"Due to the size of the gathering and the suspected severities of injuries, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office encourages participants of the bonfire to come forward with information which will assist with this investigation," the sheriff's office said in a news release.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 526-3111.
