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Five people charged with murder in deadly Northern California fireworks warehouse explosion

Authorities say the blast involved illegal fireworks stored at the warehouse, and a grand jury found five people responsible for the deaths of seven victims.

  • On Friday, authorities announced that five individuals face murder charges in connection with the July 1, 2025, fireworks warehouse explosion in Esparto, California, which killed seven people.
  • The blast occurred at a warehouse owned by then-Yolo County Sheriff lieutenant Samuel Machado, where Kenneth Chee's San Francisco-based Devastating Pyrotechnics stored excessive, illegal explosives.
  • Eight defendants now face 30 charges including murder, conspiracy, and possession of illegal assault weapons, Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity reported Friday.
  • Authorities arrested Machado, Blackstar Fireworks owner Craig Cutright, Devastating Pyrotechnic operations manager Jack Lee, and federal license holder Gary Chan Jr. on Thursday; Chee was apprehended in Florida.
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KVUE broke the news in Austin, United States on Friday, April 10, 2026.
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