Seven Arrested on Murder Charges After Deadly Fireworks Explosion in Woodland, California

Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with a deadly fireworks warehouse explosion near Esparto, Yolo County, California, that killed seven people and injured two others last July, local authorities confirmed Friday.

The explosion, which occurred in the rural community about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, triggered a major fire and led to the cancellation of Fourth of July celebrations in the area. Yolo County District Attorney's Office announced that indictments would be detailed in a news conference Friday. Jail records indicate that several of those arrested are facing murder charges.

The individuals taken into custody include Samuel Machado and Tammy Machado, owners of the warehouse. At the time of the incident, Samuel Machado served as a lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office and his wife, Tammy Machado, held a non-sworn administrative role. Both were placed on leave following the explosion.

Kenneth Chee, the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, the company whose illegal fireworks were stored at the site, was arrested in Florida and appeared in court Friday. Authorities said Chee is scheduled for extradition to California within the week. Additional arrests include Jack Lee, operations manager for Devastating Pyrotechnics, and Gary Chan Jr., whose name appears on the company’s federal license.

Also among those arrested is Craig Cutright, owner of Blackstar Fireworks, which operated on the Machados' property. Reports indicate Cutright had also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Esparto Fire District and was listed as an employee of Devastating Pyrotechnics. Another employee, Ronald Botelho III, has remained in custody since December, with more than a dozen new charges filed against him on Thursday.

This case highlights serious concerns about illegal fireworks operations in rural areas and the potential risks they pose to communities. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released further details regarding potential additional charges or future court dates.