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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The fireworks company at the center of a deadly warehouse explosion in 2022 is seeking a delay in civil cases because of possible criminal charges.
In a motion filed Monday, an attorney representing Magic in the Sky asked a judge to suspend the cases for one year or until all pending criminal investigations have been resolved.
“With the possibility of more serious criminal charges looming, both (owners of Magic in the Sky) have retained private, criminal counsel and it is anticipated will choose to exercise their right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution in the pending civil matters,” the motion read.
Magic in the Sky is facing several lawsuits from families of the victims, who are claiming negligence against the company and other groups, including SeaWorld Entertainment, which used Magic in the Sky for its fireworks shows.
No criminal charges have been announced against the owners of Magic in the Sky, however their attorney noted the company continues to be “investigated by various law enforcement agencies for the purpose of developing probable cause to initiate criminal charges.”
Last year, Magic in the sky was fined $109,375 in connection to the December 2022 fire that killed four people and left a fifth person badly hurt.
An inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the fire may have been sparked by static electricity.
“An alleged static charge from plastic tables and storage bins ignited an electric match at the insertion point of the aerial firework, resulting in immediate detonation,” a summary on OSHA’s website stated.
OSHA found 12 violations labeled “serious” by the agency, ranging from violating “explosives and blasting agents” standards to violating “hazard communication” standards.
Magic in the Sky has contested the violations.
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