A Yolo County judge denied bail Thursday for Jack Lee, operations manager of Devastating Pyrotechnics, ruling he remains a public threat connected to the July 1, 2025 explosions in Esparto that killed seven people. Prosecutors say Lee was negotiating fireworks sales just days after the blast, and authorities reportedly found 1,000 pounds of explosives and materials for illegal fireworks at his home. He faces multiple murder counts and will remain jailed through trial.
Co-defendant Gary Chan Jr., whose name appears on the company’s federal license, was granted $400,000 bail. He will stay in custody until a hearing next week determines whether his funds come from legal sources. Eight people were indicted in connection with the disaster, one of California’s deadliest fireworks accidents.
The ruling raises real questions for our region about oversight of fireworks storage operations and how courts weigh public safety against defendants’rights before trial. What do you think accountability should look like in this case?
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Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
