1986 San Francisco fireworks disaster

1986 explosion and fire in San Francisco February 2025 37.7262 -122.3796 title The 1986 San Francisco fireworks disaster took place on April 5, when a massive explosion and fire devastated a city block in the Bayview district of San Francisco.Lindsey Robert Warehouse Fire Injures 19; Deaths Unknown New York Times April 5, 1986 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/05/us/warehouse-fire-injures-19-deaths-unknown.html July 6, 2021 The explosion occurred in the three-story Bayview Building at 1070 Revere Avenue, which housed about 125 light industrial and crafts businesses. At least eight people were killed and another 20 were injured.Stannard Matthew B. Ceremony to recall victims of fireworks factory explosion in 1986: Horrific blast lifted warehouse, burnt city block SFGate.com San Francisco January 13, 2012 https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Ceremony-to-recall-victims-of-2520438.php July 6, 2021 Within days, investigators learned that the explosion had occurred in a clandestine fireworks factory.Archives Fatal S.F. Blast Tied to Illegal Fireworks Plant Los Angeles Times April 10, 1986 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-10-mn-3095-story.html July 6, 2021 Damage was estimated at $10 million, and over a hundred small businesses were affected. The archives of Rip Off Press, including a few hundred thousand comics, books and posters, were burned.AP Fireworks Maker Identified New York Times April 13, 1986 https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/13/us/fireworks-maker-identified.html July 6, 2021 Other businesses destroyed included artist studios, a distribution center for the New York Times, a boat shop and a cabinet shop. A 28-year-old man, Thomas C. Cuyos, was killed in the explosion, and investigators said that he was the operator of the illegal fireworks production facility. In 1985, Cuyos had founded Infinite Technology Inc. as a fireworks manufacturer, with headquarters outside San Francisco. Cuyos and his associates had told the owners of the Bayview Bullding that they ran a computer paper company. Fireworks Factory Operator Died in Warehouse Blast Associated Press April 12, 1986 https://apnews.com/article/3764101b46eaf9fa6c9c200e861cec69 July 6, 2021 Nolan Florita, 26 years old, had been helping Cuyos, and was also presumed killed.MacLean Pamela A. Three people were arrested Thursday on charges they conspired. UPI April 17, 1986 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/04/17/Three-people-were-arrested-Thursday-on-charges-they-conspired/9859514098000/ July 6, 2021 On April 17, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrested three people who were charged with conspiracy in the operation of the fireworks factory. One of those arrested confirmed that Cuyos had built a machine to mass-produce M-80s. Bail for brother and sister charged in fatal $10 million fire UPI April 19, 1986 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/04/19/Bail-for-brother-and-sister-charged-in-fatal-10-million-fire/7843514270800/ July 6, 2021 Two of those arrested were later convicted, and the third was acquitted. Lawsuits lasted for four years. A settlement resulted in 125 plaintiffs sharing $9 million. In 2006, twenty years after the explosion, a memorial service honoring the victims was held at the San Francisco Zen Center. References Category:1986 in San Francisco Category:Fireworks accidents and incidents Category:1986 explosions Category:Disasters in California Category:1980s crimes in California Category:1986 fires in the United States Category:1986 industrial disasters Category:April 1986 in the United States Category:Industrial fires and explosions in the United States