Charges Filed After Deadly California Fireworks Warehouse Explosion

Fri Apr 10 2026 22:02:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Five individuals, including a former sheriff's lieutenant, face murder charges in connection to an explosion at a fireworks warehouse that resulted in seven fatalities in Northern California.

Authorities in Yolo County have charged five people with murder related to a deadly fireworks warehouse explosion in Esparto, California, that claimed seven lives. The charges stem from a grand jury indictment, with those involved—including a former sheriff's lieutenant and a fireworks company owner—being held accountable for illegal explosives. Local communities are now addressing the consequences as traditional Fourth of July celebrations were jeopardized by this tragic incident.

WOODLAND, Calif. — In a devastating incident that shocked the small farming community of Esparto, five individuals have been charged with murder following a fireworks warehouse explosion that killed seven people. Authorities revealed that the charges were made public after a grand jury indictment identified the accused as responsible for this tragic event.

The explosion caused a significant fire, disrupting nearby Fourth of July celebrations, and raised serious concerns about the storage and legality of fireworks in the region. Among those charged are Samuel Machado, the warehouse owner and a former lieutenant at the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, and Kenneth Chee, who owned Devastating Pyrotechnics and had illegally stored fireworks at the site.

Chee was arrested in Florida and is expected to be extradited to California within the week. The charges extended to Jack Lee, the operations manager for the fireworks company, and Gary Chan Jr., linked with the company’s federal license. The identity of the fifth individual, Douglas Tollefson, has yet to be confirmed as he remains at large.

“This is not just about fireworks,” stated Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity, emphasizing the severity of the explosive devices involved, which exceeded legal limits. In total, eight individuals face 30 charges, including conspiracy and possession of illegal assault weapons.

Machado’s wife, Tammy, also faces charges following her arrest, but was released after posting bail. The incident was so powerful that eyewitnesses reported their homes shaking and doors blowing open from the blast wave.

Following the explosion, neighboring communities like Sutter and Yuba counties announced plans to seek alternatives for their Fourth of July festivities, which had traditionally included fireworks displays. The reopening of discussions around the legality and safety of fireworks in residential areas becomes increasingly urgent, highlighted by this tragic event.