Etta James Farming LLC, represented by Singleton Schreiber, has filed a lawsuit against two fireworks companies and property owner Sam Machado over the July 1 explosions in Esparto, CA, that killed seven people and destroyed farmland. The suit alleges illegal fireworks operations, negligence, and reckless disregard for safety regulations.
Etta James Farming LLC has filed a civil lawsuit in Yolo County Superior Court against fireworks companies Devastating Pyrotechnics and BlackStar Fireworks, as well as property owner Sam Machado, a Yolo County sheriff’s lieutenant. The lawsuit stems from a deadly July 1 explosion at an unpermitted fireworks facility in Esparto, California, which killed seven people, burned nearly 80 acres, and destroyed crops and equipment on the farming company’s nearby land. The suit alleges that the fireworks businesses were illegally manufacturing, storing, and selling commercial-grade fireworks on Machado’s property without proper permits or safety measures, creating an “unreasonable risk of catastrophic explosion and fire.”
Chris Rodriguez and Andrew Bluth of Singleton Schreiber LLP, representing Etta James Farming, claims Machado profited from the operations and that the businesses were operated recklessly as “mere shells” by owners Kenneth Chee and Craig Cutright. The suit also criticizes the lack of notice to neighbors about explosive materials being stored on-site. Machado and his wife, both Sheriff’s Office employees, have been placed on administrative leave. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by state and federal agencies, including the State Fire Marshal, ATF, and Cal-OSHA. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and leaves room to add additional defendants.
