New video shows fireworks believed to have ignited deadly Chelan Hills Fire

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Duration: 0:29 Views: 4.4K Submitted: 3 weeks ago Submitted by:

New video shows dozens of fireworks being let off from a truck in Douglas County, which investigators say sparked the deadly Chelan Hills fire in early July.

Michael Yakimov, 18, is accused of launching fireworks from the moving truck. The Chelan Hills Fire killed one person, injured six firefighters and caused more than $6 million in losses.

Yakimov faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.

The video, obtained by KING 5 through a public records request, shows several people riding in the bed of a truck while driving on U.S. Highway 97 near Orondo shortly after midnight on July 4. A large Roman candle is seen firing dozens of fiery shots toward another vehicle and behind the truck.

Categories: Crime & Lawlessness

Tags: Fire crime

2 +1 MarGarTar 3 weeks ago

All six should be put in a cage, and then slowly incinerated, by the victims of this crime. Little pricks had no issue at all, burning others to death.

4 +1 L.X 3 weeks ago

@MarGarTar I mean they are teenagers and were firing fireworks out of a moving vehicle. I doubt they gave it much more thought than that. Doesn't excuse their behavior or the consequences they'll have to face, but implying you knew their motive was to murder others is a little over the top.

no photo

2 +1 SchlongusHumongus 3 weeks ago

Burn em

4 +1 dingus369 3 weeks ago

I could see the manslaughter, but first degree? I can also agree with first-degree malicious mischief, but I think arson requires intentionally setting fires?

2 +1 howwonderfool 3 weeks ago

@dingus369 Possible there were active fire restrictions in Douglas County as early as start of July this year. Chances are no open burnings and no fireworks. If that was the case, this sets the mood for first degree manslaughter, and also for arson.

0 +1 dingus369 3 weeks ago

@howwonderfool First degree manslaughter would require an intent to cause someone serious harm though. He probably thought he was just shooting fireworks from his truck and the biggest inconvenience would be the noise

5 +1 L.X 3 weeks ago

@dingus369 It's Washington State and he's white, you don't get more first degree than that over there.