Farm Sues Over Deadly California Fireworks Explosion, Crop Loss

Etta James Farming LLC has filed the first civil lawsuit related to the July 1 deadly fireworks warehouse explosion in Esparto, California, which killed seven people and destroyed nearly 80 acres of crops. The lawsuit, filed in Yolo County Superior Court, alleges negligence and recklessness against fireworks companies Devastating Pyrotechnics and Blackstar Fireworks, their owners, and Sam Machado, a Yolo County Sheriff's Lieutenant who owned the property where the illegal fireworks operation was conducted. The explosion and subsequent fire damaged 24 acres of wheat, 50 acres of canario bean crops, and farming equipment owned by Etta James Farming, a local farming business. The lawsuit also highlights Machado's and the fireworks operators' ties to local law enforcement and raises concerns about unpermitted commercial-grade fireworks manufacturing and sales at the site. Both Machado and the fireworks owners have been placed on administrative leave amid ongoing investigations, and the companies' fireworks licenses have been suspended by the state. Lawsuits on behalf of the victims' families are expected to follow.