Explosions at fireworks storage facilities are usually human-caused, expert says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Fireworks explosions rarely occur without human involvement.
- Licensed storage sites follow federal and state safety rules for structure and limits.
- Investigators will examine materials stored and companies involved on the site.
An explosion like the one that destroyed a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County, leaving seven people unaccounted for, is extremely rare and unlikely to occur without human involvement, the head of the industry’s largest trade group said Wednesday.
In her 30 years in the field, she could recall fewer than six similar incidents, all ignited during human handling of explosives, said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, an industry group representing all aspects of the fireworks business.
“Usually when a bad incident happens, there are workers dealing with the product,” she said. “Fireworks do not just ignite on their own.”
In 2022, four workers died and a fifth person was severely injured after an explosion at a Florida fireworks warehouse that the U.S. Department of Labor later ruled could have been prevented. In that incident, a team of workers at a company called Magic in the Sky Florida was preparing for a pyrotechnic display when fire and explosions engulfed them, the Labor Department said.
In some cases, workers may have been inserting electric matches used to trigger fireworks during a show. If a box with pre-inserted matches is dropped, the impact can cause friction or a spark, leading to an explosion, she said.
Storage facilities like the one that exploded in Yolo County must be licensed by both the state Office of the State Fire Marshal and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Heckman, who serves on Cal Fire’s fireworks advisory committee. Cal Fire officials confirmed the company associated with the site, Devastating Pyrotechnics, held a valid state license.
Such buildings must be constructed with non-sparking materials, and office spaces must be far enough from storage magazines to minimize danger, Heckman said. State and federal officials regulate the amount of fireworks stored based on weight and building construction.
Investigators will likely examine whether additional materials were stored on site and whether more than one company used the property, she said.
San Francisco-based Devastating Pyrotechnics is not among the APA’s 270 member businesses, which represent 90% of the fireworks industry, and she said she was not familiar with the company.
“I really pray there’s no loss of life,” she said. “I think everybody wants to know what caused this and how it can be prevented in the future.”
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM.
