Fireworks Company Owner Arrested at Disney World on Murder Charges
Kenneth Kin Chee, the 48-year-old owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, was arrested on Thursday at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, on multiple counts of murder. The arrest is connected to a deadly explosion in Esparto, California, that claimed the lives of seven people. Chee was taken into custody by the Orange County Sheriff's Office on a fugitive warrant, as reported by KCRA 3.
Details of the Explosion and Arrests
The explosion occurred on July 1, 2025, at a property in Yolo County where illegal fireworks were allegedly stored. What began as a localized fire quickly escalated into a series of violent detonations, felt miles away. The blast, named the Oakdale Fire, leveled buildings and scorched 80 acres of land, taking emergency crews nearly five days to control.
Among the nine people arrested are Samuel Machado, a 45-year-old lieutenant with the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, and Jack Y. Lee, the 65-year-old operations manager for Chee's company. Machado and his wife, Tammy Machado, owned the property where the explosion happened. Both were placed on leave from the sheriff's office, with Samuel facing 26 charges, including murder and possession of illegal explosives.
Victims and Aftermath
The explosion killed seven workers, including 18-year-old Jesus Ramos on his first day of work and his 22-year-old brother, Jhony. Other victims included recent high school graduate Angel Voller, 18, and several fathers. Due to the blast's intensity, officials used DNA testing and dental records to identify the remains.
Authorities also arrested Craig Cutright, 61, owner of Blackstar Fireworks and a volunteer firefighter, on charges related to illegal explosives. Jack Lee faces 16 charges, including murder, while Gary Young Chan Jr., associated with Devastating Pyrotechnics' federal license, is held on 15 charges, including second-degree murder.
Investigations and Regulatory Failures
A Yolo County Civil Grand Jury report issued last month alleged that county officials ignored the illegal fireworks operation for at least three years, citing a lack of code enforcement and oversight. Devastating Pyrotechnics held some permits but lacked necessary local land-use and business licenses.
Since the explosion, the California State Fire Marshal has revoked the licenses of both companies involved. In December, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued over $200,000 in fines for regulatory failures linked to the incident.
The Yolo County District Attorney's Office was expected to announce formal indictments during a press conference on Friday morning, marking a significant step in the ongoing legal proceedings.
