Authorities have announced that a Southern California couple whose baby sex announcement party allegedly triggered a deadly fire in El Dorado in 2020 has been charged with 30 crimes-including the manslaughter of a firefighter extinguishing a blaze.
A smoke bomb detonated by a couple in Yucape, California, on September 5 during a party caused a fire that burned more than 20 thousand acres of land in two counties, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said during a press conference.
He added that one firefighter was killed while fighting the fire, and two others were injured. According to his office, as a result, several houses were also destroyed and more than 22 thousand acres of land were burned.
A couple whose gender reveal party caused a wildfire in California last year were charged with manslaughter after the blaze killed a firefighter.
The El Dorado Fire burned 23,000 acres after they used a «smoke-generating pyrotechnic device.» They face up to 20 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/XbtX2WfcbZ
— AJ+ (@ajplus) July 21, 2021
Cal Fire ruled that the cause of the fire was a «smoke pyrotechnic device».
The couple pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Tuesday. According to Anderson, they were released on their own recognizance until the next court date, scheduled for September.
The incident «had a huge impact on the San Bernardino community, «Anderson said, adding that at least six agencies» participated in the containment, extinguishing and investigation » of the deadly fire.
«We are certainly dealing with lost lives, we are dealing with the wounded, we are dealing with the burned housing of people and their land. It is not only about strong emotions, but also about huge damage: both financially and psychologically.»
