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Los Angeles Times
22-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Yolo County asks AG to join probe into deadly fireworks explosion over ‘public perception of conflicts'
The fields surrounding a fireworks facility are littered with debris on July 2, the day after an explosion leveled the site near Esparto, Calif., in Yolo County. Yolo County officials want the state attorney general's office to join the investigation into a deadly fireworks explosion at a pyrotechnic company due to what many locals see as a potential conflict of interest after it was revealed that two Yolo County Sheriff's Office employees owned the property where the company caught fire, killing seven people. On Friday, Yolo County Chair Mary Vixie Sandy wrote to Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office, asking that he join the investigation over a 'strong public perception of conflicts' with the Sheriff's Office and the ongoing probe into the deadly industrial accident. There have been no criminal charges filed in connection to the explosion and fire that ripped through a pyrotechnic company warehouse in the rural farming community of Esparto, Calif., on July 1. Advertisement The state fire marshal's office is leading the investigation and the Yolo County district attorney's office is providing oversight in the event that charges are filed, according to county officials. 'While we do not question the ability and integrity of the District Attorney to support the Cal Fire and Cal OSHA investigations, ensuring the public's confidence in the investigation and outcomes is of critical importance to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and our community,' Sandy wrote. 'It is our strong belief that the public perception and integrity of the investigation elements currently being carried out at the local level would be best served by the direct involvement of the Department of Justice.' The attorney general's office said it is reviewing the request. California 'We want answers.' Families hold vigil after seven found dead in fireworks factory explosion The Ramos family has been holding a vigil near the site of a fireworks facility explosion where authorities uncovered seven bodies. The family still has no answers about the cause of the explosion or confirmation if their family members are among the dead. Family members of the victims say their relatives were hired to package fireworks in the days leading up to the Fourth of July weekend at the Esparto warehouse. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Their remains were pulled from the site several days following the explosion and after explosive experts safely ignited the remaining hazardous materials. Advertisement The dead were identified as Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco; Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco; Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento; Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas; Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo; Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo; and Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton, according to the Yolo County coroner's office. Since the explosion, the state fire marshal's office suspended the pyrotechnic licenses of Kenneth Chee from Devastating Pyrotechnics and Craig Cutright of Blackstar Fireworks, who were linked to the site. Cutright previously worked as a volunteer firefighter with the local fire department, officials said. The firework businesses operated on property owned by Sheriff's Lt. Sam Machado and his wife, who works as an administrative employee for the Sheriff's Office. Both are on administrative leave, according to Sheriff Tom Lopez. Sheriff's officials were directly involved in the emergency response to the explosion and the brush fire that followed, but have not been involved in the ongoing investigation, according to authorities. The Sheriff's Office declined to provide any comments on the investigation and directed all questions to to Cal Fire, Lopez said in a statement posted to Facebook. Advertisement 'Still, some may have perceived we were inaccessible — our intent was, is, and continues to be full support of the investigative process and respect for the lead agency's role,' Lopez said. While Machado and his wife have been placed on leave, Lopez said this 'does not imply wrongdoing, but it is a standard measure to help ensure an impartial and fair investigative process.' Machado could not be reached for comment. Earlier this month, law enforcement officials searched a San Francisco home where Chee is listed as the owner. His attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On Friday, Etta James Farming, a canary bean and wheat farmer, sued Devastating Pyrotechnics, Blackstar Fireworks, Cutright and Machado in a civil suit. Etta James Farming claims the fire damaged its adjoining crops, farming equipment and infrastructure. The lawsuit says that the fireworks operators operated an illegal business on a site that was not permitted on the property. The illegal operation should have been obvious to everyone named in the lawsuit, according to Etta James Farming. They seek an undetermined amount related to the destruction of the crops, farming infrastructure and equipment, along with punitive damages.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Family of Recology worker say death could have been 'prevented'
The Brief Family of Alfredo Romero, 61, calls his death 'preventable' Company accused of keeping family of killed worker in the dark Cal OSHA, San Mateo District Attorney investigation underway SAN FRANCISCO - The family of the Recology worker who died on the job Friday morning spoke out Wednesday, calling the death "preventable," and asking for answers from the company they said has remained tight-lipped during the investigation. Alfredo Romero, 61, of Fremont, died on Friday at the Recology facility on Tunnel Avenue in San Francisco. In an interview conducted on Wednesday at the funeral home where the family is making arrangements, his three adult children, Michelle, Danielle, and Joseph, told KTVU they were "not prepared" for his death and are demanding transparency. Michelle said the news came as a shock on Friday, when she received a call from Recology. "They asked if I was related to someone else, like a similar name, but it wasn't my dad's name. They got the name wrong," she said. "They were like, 'Albert Romero?' and I said, 'Do you mean Alfredo?'" When she finally understood that her father had been in an accident, she said, "My heart dropped… what kind of accident could have possibly happened that would end in death?" Michelle said her father, who came from a line of garbage workers and spent four decades in the industry, was a skilled mechanic and a mentor to his peers. "What was really hard was that the company wasn't telling us anything," she said. Michelle and her siblings said her father's colleagues, who were present during the incident, were the only ones who provided some insight. "It wasn't a health thing. It was a traffic accident. He was on the back of the hopper of one of the new trucks in the shop. He was trying to work on it when it happened. It feels like something that really should have been prevented," Michelle said. She said it was a typical shift with her dad doing his normal work. "That should have been a normal day. He should have come home from work." Michelle added that the family "would hear complaints from my dad and the guys in general, about [Recology] cutting corners on expenses" when the workers needed new equipment. "But I don't really know what is relevant in this particular instance," she said. Michelle told KTVU that her family has not been able to retrieve Alfredo's belongings from the site, as the investigation continues. With tears in her eyes, Michelle recalled how proud he was to do the work he did, and how he loved his coworkers. She said the men who worked with her dad have supported her during this difficult time. She said Alfredo was a family man who loved spending time with his four grandchildren. A dedicated father, the family described him as a hardworking man who worked overtime and on holidays to provide a comfortable life for his family. The labor union he was a member of, Teamsters Local 350, wrote a letter to the employee-owned company on behalf of the family asking for transparency, calling the loss "a heartbreaking reminder that the waste industry remains one of the most dangerous professions in the country." The other side In a statement from Recology, a spokesperson wrote, "We are heartbroken for the Romero family. We understand, and we share, their shock. However, the incident is still being investigated, and we are working with the proper authorities to determine exactly what happened." The family said they hope safety is prioritized at Recology, so tragedy doesn't strike again. Cal OSHA and the San Mateo District Attorney's Office are investigating the death and cannot release any additional information until the investigation is complete. Cal OSHA has six months to complete its investigation and issue any citations. There is a GoFundMe for the family's funeral expenses.
