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San Francisco Chronicle
16-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
State suspends fireworks licenses after deadly Yolo County explosion
The Office of the State Fire Marshal suspended the pyrotechnic licenses of the owners of two fireworks companies that had ties to a Yolo County warehouse that exploded earlier this month, killing seven workers, authorities said Tuesday. The state suspended the licenses of Kenneth Chee, 48, the owner and CEO of Devastating Pyrotechnics, and Craig Cutright, who owns Blackstar Fireworks and has worked as a volunteer firefighter for the Esparto Fire Protection District. The Fire Marshal's office is leading the investigation into the deadly explosion. A Chronicle investigation earlier this month found that Chee was denied a license by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to acquire or possess fireworks. But for many years, Chee continued to grow his business and put on Fourth of July and New Year's displays for cities around the state. Cutright was once listed as a part of Devastating Pyrotechnics' administrative staff. Last week, police raided a San Francisco home, with the address listed known as Chee's former home. The explosion at the Esparto facility, located 35 miles northwest of Sacramento, occurred on July 1 and engulfed the building in flames. A blaze soon followed, which Cal Fire named the Oakdale Fire, quickly spreading into nearby vegetation along Highway 16 and Oakdale Ranch Lane. Smoke plumes appeared to rise more than 15,000 feet into the air, and the fire was eventually contained after burning approximately 78 acres. Seven people were killed in the explosion. Cal Fire officials said Tuesday that their arson and bomb investigators have completed their evidence collection from the explosion site. "We continue to remain laser focused on this investigation as the family and the community deserve answers. The effort to find the cause can take time, and it is our responsibility to ensure we provide a thorough and accurate investigation." said Chief Daniel Berlant, California State Fire Marshal in a statement.
Cedar News
11-07-2025
- Cedar News
Seven Victims Identified in Deadly Esparto Fireworks Explosion as Families Demand Answers
YOLO COUNTY, Calif. — The Yolo County Sheriff's Office has released the names of the seven individuals who tragically lost their lives in the July 1 explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Esparto. The victims, who ranged in age from 18 to 45, were: Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco Autopsies were completed Thursday, but official causes of death are pending toxicology results. Remembering the Victims The victims leave behind grieving families and a shocked community. For 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, it was his first day on the job. His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, is pregnant with their child. 'He saw it as a new chapter in our life,' she said, describing him as a kind and excited young man. His older brother, Jhony, also died in the explosion. Their father described both as 'good kids' and hard workers who had graduated from high school in San Francisco. Their stepbrother, Joel Melendez—affectionately known as 'Junior'—also perished. His mother, Lupe Melendez Mendoza, shared through tears that he was the sole provider for his wife and 11-month-old son, and that his wife is now pregnant with their second child. Angel Voller had just graduated high school and was remembered by his former baseball team as a loyal teammate and fierce competitor. 'Angel contributed greatly to the success of our program in all four of his high school years,' the team posted. Neil Li, believed to be the general manager of Devastating Pyrotechnics, was among the oldest of the victims. Carlos Rodriguez, also a father, was remembered by his wife in a heartbreaking Facebook post urging people to never take loved ones for granted. Christopher Bocog's family described him as a devoted father and a selfless, supportive figure. A GoFundMe page remembers him as someone who always put others first and was deeply cherished by family and friends. Explosion and Fire The explosion ignited a large fire—dubbed the Oakdale Fire—which scorched approximately 80 acres and destroyed multiple structures. Residents were forced to evacuate, and the presence of hazardous materials complicated the emergency response. Two individuals were injured, including Yolo County Sheriff's Lt. Sam Machado, who lost his home on the property. Investigation and Legal Questions Federal and state agencies, including the ATF and California State Fire Marshal, are now leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion. Two licensed fireworks companies—BlackStar Fireworks and Devastating Pyrotechnics—were operating at the site. However, Yolo County officials have stated that the property was zoned for Agricultural Intensive use, which prohibits fireworks storage. No local permits or approvals were issued for storing or handling fireworks or other explosives. Officials emphasized that such use could not be authorized under current zoning regulations unless the Board of Supervisors enacted an amendment. Families Call for Accountability As the investigation continues, the families of the victims—now represented by attorney Samantha Ortiz—are demanding answers. Many say they were unaware of the hazardous nature of the work or the facility's lack of permits. A growing number of community members are calling for stricter oversight and a thorough review of county zoning and enforcement practices to prevent future tragedies.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- USA Today
Bodies recovered of 7 missing in California firework factory explosion
The bodies of seven people reported missing in connection with a Northern California factory explosion have been recovered from the scene, The Yolo County Coroner's Division confirmed. The victims died in what Yolo County officials called a "significant explosion" on July 1 shortly after 6 p.m. local time at a warehouse storing fireworks south of the community of Esparto, northwest of Sacramento. The explosion sparked the Oakdale Fire, which burned 78 acres. The fire was 100 percent contained as of Sunday, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency. Crews located the seven victims from the Oakdale Fire, Yolo County officials announced in a Sunday, July 7 news release. The victims identities were being withheld until formal identification is completed and next of kin have been notified, officials wrote in the release. "The Coroner's Office continues to communicate directly with the families and will provide further updates as appropriate," officials wrote. What caused the firework factory explosion? Esparto Fire Protection District and The Yolo County Sheriff's Office responded to the blast which officials reported caused fires at several structures as well as multiple grass fires. "Crews are continuing to mitigate explosive hazards present at the scene," Yolo County posted on Facebook. Officials previously said they believe the facility is owned by someone with an active pyrotechnic license, but were working to determine the owner properly met license requirements. At the request of the Esparto Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE – OSFM's Arson and Bomb Investigation Unit is heading the fire's origin and cause investigation. Both remained under investigation by the state fire marshal on Monday, Cal Fire reported. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the sheriff's office at 530-666-8282. Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
New York Post
07-07-2025
- New York Post
Teenage dad-to-be working his first shift at fireworks factory was killed in huge blast alongside his brothers
A teenage father-to-be was among seven killed when a Northern California fireworks warehouse erupted in a terrifying explosion during his first shift there, according to his devastated girlfriend. Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, was killed alongside two of his brothers, Johnny Ramos and Junior Melendez, when repeated explosions devastated the fireworks warehouse where they were working Tuesday in Yolo County near Esparto, according to ABC10. The teen was on his first shift at the facility, working to prepare for the arrival of his first child, his pregnant girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, told the outlet. 3 Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, was working his first day to prepare for his child, his girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, said. 'He saw it as a new chapter in our life,' she said through tears. 'He was excited. He was a good person, he is a good person.' Ramos was beginning the short-term job at the warehouse with his brothers, Ruiz explained All three brothers were initially listed as among seven people unaccounted for — until fire officials announced they had discovered the bodies of all seven on Sunday. 'They were all three incredible men who had so much coming for them,' Ruiz said of the brothers. 3 Ruiz slammed officials for leaving family members in the dark in the days following the explosion. Ruiz, who quickly showed up at the blast site to demand answers, slammed local authorities and fire officials for leaving her and other family members in the dark for days after the explosion. Fire officials acknowledged the frustration, but blamed dangerous conditions at the blast site for hampering efforts. 3 Ramos was expecting a child with his girlfriend and was looking forward to a 'new chapter.' GoFundMe The blasts at the facility, which occurred just days before the Fourth of July, shook homes and sparked 'numerous spot fires' that forced locals to evacuate, according to local reports. The collective blaze sparked by the explosion, dubbed the Oakdale Fire, spread to over 78 acres before its progress was halted around 7:30 p.m., officials said. Two people were treated for injuries, according to officials. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blast. With Post wires
UPI
07-07-2025
- UPI
Authorities recover 7 bodies from site of Calif. warehouse explosion
July 7 (UPI) -- Authorities in northern California have confirmed the recovery of the bodies of seven people who had been reported missing following last week's explosion of a warehouse storing fireworks near Sacramento. "In accordance with standard procedure and out of respect for the families, the identities of the deceased will be withheld until formal identification is complete and next of kin have been notified," Yolo County said in a statement Sunday. The fireworks warehouse, located near County Roads 23 and 86A in the Esparto area of Yolo County, exploded Tuesday at about 5:50 p.m. following a fire that erupted on the compound. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. On Sunday, authorities executed a controlled explosion at the site "to safely remove hazardous materials identified at the scene," Yolo County said in a statement. The explosion was scheduled to occur between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. PDT. "Residents may hear loud noises or notice smoke and odors in the area during this time," the county said. "This is expected and part of the controlled process ... There is no immediate threat to public safety, and all necessary safety protocols are in place." Authorities had confirmed on Friday that remains of at least some of the seven people reported unaccounted for had been found. The fire and the ensuing explosion resulted in the Oakdale Fire, which burned 78 acres before it was 100% contained on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.
