San Francisco home raided in connection to deadly Northern California fireworks explosion
A San Francisco home was searched Tuesday in connection with the deadly Northern California fireworks explosion that killed seven people on July 1.
Cal Fire's state fire marshal was leading the investigation at the Inner Richmond home on 2nd Avenue, between Geary Boulevard and Anza Street, a Yolo County spokesperson said.
The home that was searched has the same address as the one where the fireworks company Devastating Pyrotechnics is registered. The explosion happened at the company's warehouse in the Yolo County town of Esparto.
California business records show that the agent listed for the company is Kenneth Chee. A lawyer for Chee issued a statement.
"Kenny Chee is innocent of any wrongdoing in connection with the Yolo fire. While the investigation is ongoing we will have no further public comment," said Douglas Horngrad, attorney for Kenny Chee.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office was also at the home. In a statement, they said, their "EOD team was in San Francisco on a mutual aid request in relation to the Esparto fire."
The Yolo County Sheriff's Office and the San Francisco Police Department were also at the scene,
CBS News Bay Area reached out to San Francisco police regarding the investigation and was told to contact the Yolo County Sheriff.
While Devastating Pyrotechnics has an active fireworks license in California as an importer and exporter, it did not have a local license to sell the fireworks nor a business license, according to the Yolo County Planning Commission Director.
A previous statement from the state fire marshal said their initial investigation would be focused on where and how the explosion happened and that it would then be expanded to determine if the operator had all the necessary licenses and permits.
Devastating Pyrotechnics posted a statement to its website on July 2 regarding the deadly explosion.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel. Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation."
