SACRAMENTO: A US couple, whose gender reveal party sparked a massive wildfire that charred more than four percent of the state besides the death of a firefighter, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Reports in international media quoting sources said the couple [Refugio Manuel Jimenez and Angela Renee Jimenez] was charged with staggering 30 crimes including involuntary manslaughter for frantically causing an inferno to inhabited structures, sparking a fire that led to great bodily injury, and recklessly causing damage in the local neighborhood.
Meanwhile, prosecutors said the couple will likely face prison sentences up to 20 years if found guilty on all charges. The duo is due to appear in court on September 15.
As per the reports, the massive fire, which is said to be one of the worst fire seasons in the nation’s history, started with a smoke bomb which was set by Refugio and Angela on September 5 at El Dorado Ranch Park near Yucaipa. It burned around 22,000 acres across two counties. Reports quoting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that a ‘smoke-generating pyrotechnic device’ was used which ignited the blaze.
A news release stated, “Cal Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn’t take much to start a wildfire, those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible.”
A firefighter, Charlie Morton, was succumbed to severe injuries while fighting the flames while two others suffered serious injuries. The huge fire was reportedly one of the thousands during a record-breaking wildfire season in Western US state.
Let it be known that the fire led to evacuations and destroyed homes. When it erupted temperatures in the vicinity were 15 to 20 degrees higher than normal.
In recent times, several parties have gone wrong. Gender reveal parties or ceremonies are celebrations in which parents reveal the gender of the baby. The celebrations also include prediction games, with fireworks and colored smoke grenades.
Earlier this year, a 28-year-old father-to-be died after a device he was building for his child’s gender reveal party reportedly exploded.
