ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – On the anniversary of a tragic explosion at an Orlando-area fireworks facility that claimed the lives of four young workers and injured another, families continue to mourn their losses as they approach another Thanksgiving without their loved ones.
New information has surfaced as the family of David Gonzales, one of the victims, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the companies involved in the fireworks operation. The lawsuit alleges that these businesses neglected to take proper safety measures to prevent the tragedy, such as failing to minimize risks, meet safety standards, and operate in a suitable facility for handling fireworks.
Earlier this year, investigations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revealed that the explosion was caused by static electricity generated from plastic tables and storage bins used during the sorting and loading of fireworks. The inspection concluded that the incident was preventable.
The lawsuit also claims that the company, Magic in the Sky, hired inexperienced young adults for pyrotechnic work, and accuses another entity, Extreme Logistics, of profiting from unlicensed and unpermitted operations. The facility where the explosion occurred was reported to lack proper permitting.
Despite these serious allegations, no criminal charges have been filed, and attorneys for the companies involved have not issued any comments in response. As the families involved in the case continue to seek justice, the pain of losing their loved ones remains fresh as the anniversary of the tragic event approaches.