Authorities have suspended the pyrotechnic licenses of two men following the devastating explosion and fire at a fireworks storage facility in Yolo County earlier this month, Cal Fire said.  

The July 1 explosion near Esparto leveled at least one building and ignited a 78-acre fire in an agricultural area about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, killing seven people.  

The Cal Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal suspended the pyrotechnics licenses of Kenneth Chee of Devastating Pyrotechnics Inc. and Craig Cutright of Blackstar Fireworks, who were identified in conjunction with the facility.  

Fire inspectors did not comment on the investigation with specifics on Tuesday, but did say that the case is ongoing.  

“While our Arson & Bomb Investigators have completed their evidence collection from the explosion site, the investigation remains very active,” said Chief Daniel Berlant, California State Fire Marshal, in a statement released by Cal Fire on Tuesday. “We continue to remain laser focused on this investigation as the family and the community deserve answers.”  

Four people from the Bay Area perished in the fire. Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco; Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco; Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo, and Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo. Also killed were Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton; Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas, and Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento. 

In addition to the deaths and property damage caused by the explosion, it also forced several communities — including San Jose, Cloverdale and St. Helena — to cancel their July Fourth fireworks shows since their pyrotechnic supplies were stored in the Yolo County warehouse that went up in flames. 

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.