By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-16 14:49:50 | Updated at 2026-09-16 15:25:51
49 minutes ago
Newly released video shows a group of laughing young people shooting fireworks at other vehicles along a highway — allegedly sparking a wildfire that destroyed 19 homes and killed a motorist.
The video allegedly shows Michael Yakimov, 18, and friends firing off Roman candles from the bed of the truck along US Highway 97 in central Washington state shortly after midnight on July 4, according to court documents obtained by King 5.
“Shoot it at them, shoot at it them!” someone yells in the clip while others can be heard cackling as explosions rattle around them.
“Don’t tell them who was shooting though,” another person said in the video.
One of the shots allegedly started the Chelan Hills Fire, which erupted into a 15.6-square-mile inferno that killed one person and injured six firefighters.
The victim was identified earlier this month as Robert Lister, a 69-year-old Orondo resident, whose vehicle veered off a road and was engulfed in flames.
The blaze also destroyed more than 100 structures, including 19 homes.
Investigators found the firework, called a Trooper Turret, near where the fire is believed to have originated near milepost 233. It’s described as a cluster of Roman candles that can fire off 240 shots in just 46 seconds, according to court documents.
Yakimov is charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief and six counts of third-degree assault.
His bail has been set at $1 million and his arraignment is set for Sept. 17.
Douglas County Sheriff Tyler Caille told reporters earlier this month that authorities were seeking arrest warrants for five others, all over 18, calling them “complicit with the same crimes.”
“This is complete recklessness that led to billions of dollars of loss, loss of Mr. Lister’s life and, unfortunately, everybody involved in that is going to have to pay those consequences,” Caille said during the news conference.
With Post Wires
