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Woodland Today
By the People, for the People
7 Arrested in Deadly Northern California Fireworks Warehouse Blast
Explosion killed 7, injured 2 in Esparto last July
Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:18pm
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The devastating aftermath of an illegal fireworks explosion that claimed 7 lives in Northern California.Woodland TodaySeven people have been arrested in connection with a deadly fireworks warehouse explosion in Northern California that killed seven people and injured two others last July. The blast sparked a massive fire and led to nearby Fourth of July celebrations being canceled. Several of those arrested, including the warehouse owners and operators of the illegal fireworks business, face murder charges.
Why it matters
The deadly explosion and subsequent arrests highlight the dangers of illegal fireworks operations and the need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. The case also raises questions about the role of local officials and first responders who were involved with the warehouse.
The details
The fireworks warehouse explosion occurred near the small farming community of Esparto in Yolo County. Among those arrested are Samuel Machado and Tammy Machado, who owned the warehouse and were employed by the Yolo County Sheriff's Office at the time. Kenneth Chee, the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, whose illegal fireworks were being stored at the warehouse, was also arrested in Florida and will be extradited to California. Other arrests include the operations manager and license holder for Devastating Pyrotechnics, as well as the owner of Blackstar Fireworks, which operated at the Esparto property.
- The deadly fireworks explosion occurred in July 2026.
- The seven arrests were announced on April 10, 2026.
The players
Samuel Machado
Co-owner of the fireworks warehouse and a lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office at the time of the incident.
Tammy Machado
Co-owner of the fireworks warehouse and a non-sworn administrative employee of the Yolo County Sheriff's Office at the time of the incident.
Kenneth Chee
Owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, whose illegal fireworks were being stored at the warehouse.
Jack Lee
Operations manager for Devastating Pyrotechnics.
Gary Chan Jr.
Holder of the federal license for Devastating Pyrotechnics.
What’s next
The Yolo County District Attorney's Office is expected to provide more details on the charges and the investigation at a news conference on Friday.
The takeaway
This tragic incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight of the fireworks industry to prevent such deadly explosions in the future. The arrests of the warehouse owners, fireworks company operators, and other individuals involved raise questions about the role of local officials and first responders in this case.
