Latest news with #StateFireMarshal
Global News
2 hours ago
- General
- Global News
Video captures fireworks warehouse exploding into raging fire in California
An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California caused a massive blaze that led to evacuations after the pyrotechnics began detonating in the air, scattering debris and creating a huge smoky fireball, according to officials and footage taken at the scene. The Yolo County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the warehouse, located in Esparto, a town about 40 kilometres northwest of Sacramento, had exploded and continued to burn through the night. 'There is still an active evacuation zone in place around the property, and it will likely remain in effect throughout the night,' the office said. Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence could not confirm to reporters if there were any injuries as of Tuesday night. 'Everything is very preliminary right now,' he said. Story continues below advertisement According to NBC, firefighters responded to the blaze at about 5:50 p.m., and found 'a few commercial buildings well-involved, as well as numerous explosions and numerous spot fires throughout the area,' Lawrence said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy People were urged to avoid the area for several days following the blast, which led to other spot fires and the collapse of the warehouse. 'The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,' the Facebook post said, before urging people to stay away from the area. The fire was held at nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) as of Wednesday morning after scorching surrounding agricultural fields, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. 'We do believe this location is owned by an active pyrotechnic license holder,' Deputy State Fire Marshal Kara Garrett told KXTV in Sacramento. She added, 'This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements.' Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it was tracking what happened and that state ground and air resources were deployed. Our office is closely tracking the fire and explosion in Yolo County. @CAL_FIRE and @Cal_OES have deployed air and ground resources. The State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed. — Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) July 2, 2025 Story continues below advertisement 'The State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed,' the governor's office said on the social site X. — With files from The Associated Press
New York Times
12 hours ago
- New York Times
Fireworks Warehouse Explodes in Northern California
Days before the Fourth of July, an explosion at a warehouse storing fireworks in Northern California set off a dramatic pyrotechnics display along with flames and smoke, officials said. The fire, in a largely rural area in Esparto, Calif., broke out around 5:50 p.m. Pacific on Tuesday, Curtis Lawrence, the chief of the Esparto Fire Protection District, said during a news briefing. Officials did not give any information about injuries but said that multiple structures were on fire. As of Wednesday morning, the cause of the fire was unknown. When firefighting crews arrived on Tuesday evening, firefighters found 'numerous explosions and numerous wildfires throughout the area,' Mr. Lawrence said. The fires covered about 80 acres, he said, but added that firefighters had those under control while crews battled the main blaze. 'The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,' the Yolo County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Tuesday night. The sheriff's office urged people to avoid the area for at least several days. The sheriff's office announced a one-mile evacuation zone around the facility and urged people to avoid the area. The sheriff's office said that it was not 'investigating anything criminal at this time,' but that California's State Fire Marshal Arson and Bomb Unit was taking the lead in investigating the episode.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Houma man accused of setting house on fire with wife, dog inside
HOUMA, La. (WGNO) — A man was arrested on Tuesday, June 24, after he allegedly set fire to a house in Houma two days prior on June 22. Nine years later, Algiers murder on Kent Drive remains unsolved According to the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal the fire was reported at a home in the 100 block of Prince Collins Street. Inside the home was a woman, identified as the suspect's wife, and the family dog. Both reportedly escaped the fire safely. State Fire Marshal officials said an investigation determined that the fire was intentionally set, and 69-year-old Gregory Verrett was identified as the alleged culprit behind the incident. He was arrested and faces one count of aggravated arson and one count of simple cruelty to trend already identified among 'Generation Beta' babies, BabyCenter claims Eight people shot within nine hours in New Orleans Two dead in Lower Ninth Ward homicide investigation Boil water advisory issued in New Orleans after 30″ main break How do the chemicals in sunscreen protect our skin from damage? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Resident safe, suspect injured in alleged Bogalusa arson incident
WASHINGTON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — A Bogalusa man is in police custody following a house fire Wednesday, June 25. According to the State Fire Marshal's Office, around 2 a.m. the Bogalusa Fire Department was alerted of a fire in the 800 block of Avenue G. Causeway Bridge southbound lanes reopen after crash Firefighters report the home's resident was able to escape the flames unharmed. Fire Marshal's Office officials said an investigation reportedly determined the fire was set intentionally and as a result, 32-year-old Joshua David Patterson was arrested for his alleged involvement. Patterson was taken to a hospital after suffering burns to his arm and leg and carbon monoxide poisoning. Two accused of child exploitation arrested in joint investigation Upon release, he was booked on a charge of aggravated arson. Anyone with information on the incident can call the State Fire Marshal at trend already identified among 'Generation Beta' babies, BabyCenter claims Eight people shot within nine hours in New Orleans Two dead in Lower Ninth Ward homicide investigation Boil water advisory issued in New Orleans after 30″ main break How do the chemicals in sunscreen protect our skin from damage? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska fireworks sales begin this week after lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees
Revelers enjoy the July 4 fireworks in Ralston, Neb., in 2016. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — The return of retail fireworks sales this week comes after Nebraska lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees this spring, many for the first time in nearly four decades. Retail fireworks sales started Tuesday ahead of Independence Day (July 4), with sales able to continue through July 5 on a July license, according to state law. The same law required such seasonal retail license applications — now $100 per stand, instead of $25 — to be received no later than June 9. Other fireworks aficionados are also paying higher fees this season, such as jobbers at $400 (up from $200) and distributors at $1,000 (up from $500). Anyone wishing to conduct a public exhibition or 'display fireworks' must receive a 'display' permit, now costing $100 per date, up from $10. State Sen. Dave Wordekemper of Fremont, who led the proposed fee increases through Legislative Bill 434 this year at the request of the State Fire Marshal's Office, said this spring that the fees were a 'critical need that has been overlooked for far too long.' Wordekemper said, for instance, that some of the fire marshal's state fees had not been changed since the 1980s or 1990s. The increases, he said, still wouldn't keep up with the actual costs of such services. 'These fee increases are not taken lightly, but they are necessary to ensure the continued operation of vital safety services that protect our communities, schools, hospitals and businesses,' Wordekemper said in April. State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha, vice chair of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, gave Wordekemper's bill a boost on the floor saying that the alternative would be more funds from the state's main pocketbook, fueled by sales and income taxes. She said the fee increases would not touch family homes. Armendariz noted there is some 'sticker shock' to some of the increases, but she and Wordekemper said that might not have been the case if the fees were more regularly updated. All fees increasing under LB 434: Fireworks display permit — $100 per date (up from $10). Fireworks distributor's license — $1,000 (up from $500). Fireworks jobber's license — $400 (up from $200). Fireworks retailer's license — $100 per stand (up from $25). Fire alarm inspections — Up to $200 (previous cap was $100). State fire code inspections and compliance, late submittal after remodeling or construction — 50% of projected plan review fee (up from $50 flat fee). Fire safety inspections — $50-$300 (up from $25-$150). Plan reviews (beginning Sept. 1) — Up to $5,000 (previous cap was $500) Plan reviews for accessibility standards and specifications — Up to $5,000 (previous cap was $250). Water-based fire protection system contractor certificate (and renewals) — Up to $200 (previous cap was $100). Tank registration for farm or residential (one-time fee) — $10 (up from $5). Tank installation permit — $75 (up from $50). Tank registration permit (annual) — Up to $60 (previous cap was $30). The State Fire Marshal's Office estimates collecting an additional $800,000 in revenue the next fiscal year (beginning July 1) and $1.5 million the following fiscal year, which could be used to reduce or replace 'reliance' on state dollars. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
