Yolo County California officials have charged five people with murder in connection with the deadly Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion that killed seven people.
“This is not a case just about fireworks,” Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity said. “They are devices that have so much more explosive fireworks than the law allows that they can’t be considered fireworks.”
This is the same message that AFSL delivers in the Fireworks Regulatory Compliance Training we provide to local and state AHJs across the country; If marketed as a 1.4G consumer fireworks but it doesn’t comply with CPSC regulations, it’s not a consumer firework. It’s an illegal explosive!
We’ve seen ground salutes containing over 14 grams of what appeared to be flash powder, which is very sensitive and highly energetic. Yes, these bombs contained 14.4 grams to be exact, versus the legal amount of 130 mg. Some illicit importers are also importing and selling 1.4G Professional Use Only devices that are wrapped in brightly colored paper, similar to the packaging used for consumer fireworks, even though they require special training to possess. In the hands of the untrained consumer, these are extremely dangerous and those importing and selling them are risking more than some civil action by the authorities. As YOLO County officials are demonstrating, criminal charges are not out of the questions when people are seriously injured or killed.
The owner of the warehouse, along with the owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics and two of his employees, were charged with murder. Others associated with the incident, such as the owner of Blackstar Fireworks, were also among those arrested.
These illegitimate actors threaten the livelihood of all in the consumer fireworks industry. Know who, when, and where these illegal explosives are being sold? If so, reach out to your local law enforcement and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at https://www.saferproducts.gov.
We avoid regulatory scrutiny only if we demonstrate the capability and willingness to effectively regulate our industry. Don’t let a few destroy this dynamic, profitable, and growing industry. If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
