The tragic explosion linked to Devastating Pyrotechnics in Yolo County has raised serious questions about the company's ownership and operations. The firm, which has been responsible for numerous fireworks displays across local cities, is owned by Kenneth Chee, a 48-year-old former optometrist and San Francisco resident. Despite his history, Chee has managed to build a business that specializes in Fourth of July and New Year’s fireworks shows, albeit under controversial circumstances due to federal regulations barring him from acquiring or possessing fireworks.
Records and interviews reveal that Chee was denied a federal license by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), but the reasons for this denial remain unclear. This has raised concerns about whether Chee required a license to operate as the head of Devastating Pyrotechnics. Two years prior, a license was granted to Gary Chan Jr. from San Francisco, allowing him to run the company, indicating a complex ownership structure.
Despite his past legal troubles, which included a five-year prison sentence for assault with a firearm in 1998, Chee has seemingly turned his life around. Under federal regulations, individuals convicted of crimes punishable by over a year in prison are prohibited from obtaining federal explosives licenses. However, Chee successfully obtained approval from California state officials to operate his fireworks business, which suggests a significant discrepancy in regulatory oversight.
Devastating Pyrotechnics held licenses from the California Office of the State Fire Marshal for importing and exporting materials, selling fireworks, and launching public displays—all under Chee’s name. This raises questions about the regulatory practices in place, especially following the recent explosion at a warehouse located in Esparto, approximately 35 miles northwest of Sacramento.
The Esparto property, owned by Sam Machado, a lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, was zoned for agricultural use. Reports indicate that Devastating Pyrotechnics was permitted to store display-grade fireworks in metal storage containers located a considerable distance from the warehouse that exploded. The nearest storage magazine was almost 2,000 feet away, further complicating the investigation into the incident.
The explosion has had devastating consequences, with seven individuals reported missing and at least one confirmed fatality. Additionally, two people sustained injuries, leading to the cancellation of multiple planned fireworks displays for the upcoming July Fourth celebrations. In a statement regarding the tragedy, Jason Clay, spokesperson for Cal Fire, confirmed that the facility's owner held valid state and federal licenses for storing explosives.
Federal authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion. In the wake of the incident, Devastating Pyrotechnics disabled its website, replacing it with a statement expressing condolences to the victims and their families, as well as a commitment to cooperate fully with the investigation. The company has previously claimed to have safely executed fireworks displays for various municipalities, including San Jose and Redwood City.
Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, noted that while explosions involving commercial-grade fireworks are rare, they are often the result of human error. She emphasized that the facility should have been constructed to meet specific safety standards, including the use of noncombustible materials and appropriate static electricity discharge mechanisms.
Heckman pointed out that the building engulfed in flames may not have been suitable for fireworks storage. It could have served as a temporary holding area for fireworks, which would require specific licensing and adherence to safety protocols. One of the riskiest operations in such environments involves installing "electric matches" on fireworks for public displays, a task that can inadvertently trigger a dangerous spark.
The explosion at Devastating Pyrotechnics has not only resulted in tragic loss but has also ignited an urgent conversation about safety regulations in the fireworks industry. As the investigation unfolds, the complexities surrounding the company’s ownership and compliance with federal regulations will be closely scrutinized, highlighting the critical need for stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
