Deadly Fireworks Blast: Two Charged with Murder

Multiple people, including a former law enforcement officer, have been arrested and charged with murder following a deadly fireworks warehouse explosion in Esparto, California, authorities said. The blast happened on July 1, 2025, near Sacramento and triggered an emergency response that later led to the cancellation of local Fourth of July celebrations.

Officials said the explosion occurred at a 5,000-square-foot warehouse that was allegedly being used to store illegal fireworks. Authorities indicated the facility held more than one million pounds of illicit fireworks, and said the devices contained explosive materials that exceeded legal limits for consumer fireworks.

Prosecutors named Samuel Machado, described as a former lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, among those facing charges. Authorities said Machado is charged with 26 counts, including murder and illegal possession of explosives.

Prosecutors allege Machado used his position to help enable the storage of illegal fireworks at the site. They said the operation expanded over time, growing from 13 storage containers in 2015 to 50 by 2025.

Authorities also charged Machado’s wife, Tammy Machado, according to prosecutors. Officials said her charges include mortgage fraud and child endangerment tied to allegations that explosives were stored near a family pool.

The explosion killed seven people and injured two others, officials said. Authorities identified the seven victims as employees of Devastating Pyrotechnics: Jesús Ramos, 18; Jhony Ramos, 22; Joel “Junior” Melendez, 28; Carlos Rodriguez-Mora, 43; Angel Mathew Voller, 18; Christopher Bocog, 45; and Neil Li, 41.