Five people have been charged with murder in connection with a deadly fireworks warehouse explosion in Northern California that killed seven people and injured two others. The owner of the company was arrested at Walt Disney World in Florida. A total of eight people face 30 charges, including murder, conspiracy, and illegal weapons possession.

Investigation into Devastating Pyrotechnics Blast

Five individuals have been indicted on murder charges related to a devastating explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California last summer. The incident tragically resulted in seven fatalities and left two others injured. The owner of the company implicated in the blast was apprehended at Walt Disney World in Florida, according to an arrest affidavit.

Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity confirmed that a total of eight individuals are facing a comprehensive array of 30 charges. These charges encompass severe offenses such as murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of illegal assault weapons. The scale of the charges reflects the gravity of the situation and the commitment of law enforcement to hold those responsible accountable.

Key Individuals Charged

Kenneth Chee, the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, the company whose illegal fireworks were stored at the warehouse, is among those charged with murder. Chee's arrest took place at Walt Disney World in Florida, and he is awaiting extradition back to California.

Jack Lee, the operations manager for Devastating Pyrotechnics, and Gary Chan Jr., whose name is listed on the company’s federal license, are also facing murder charges. Both were apprehended by authorities.

Samuel Machado, the owner of the warehouse and a lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office at the time, has also been charged with murder. His wife, Tammy Machado, who served as a non-sworn administrative employee at the Sheriff's Office, faces related charges and was released after posting bail.

Douglas Tollefson, who remains at large, is the fifth individual charged with murder. The exact extent of his involvement is still under investigation.

Related Arrests and Charges

Craig Cutright, the owner of Blackstar Fireworks, which was operating the Esparto property owned by Samuel and Tammy Machado, has also been arrested. Cutright held dual roles as a volunteer firefighter for the Esparto Fire District and an employee of Devastating Pyrotechnics.

Furthermore, Ronald Botelho III, an employee of Cutright, was previously arrested in December for reckless possession of explosives. He now faces an additional 13 charges, illustrating the widespread nature of the alleged violations.

Explosion Details and Impact

Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity emphasized that the devices contained significantly more explosive power than legally permitted, negating their classification as fireworks. The explosion occurred just before 6 p.m. on July 1, 2025, at a facility belonging to Devastating Pyrotechnics in Esparto, an agricultural town east of Sacramento.

The blast resulted in the burning of dozens of acres of land and caused substantial damage to nearby homes. The seven individuals who tragically lost their lives in the explosion have been identified.