Couple charged with involuntary manslaughter in California wildfire sparked by gender reveal
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Wildfire sparked by device to reveal baby s gender
A couple’s plan to reveal their baby’s gender went up not in blue or pink smoke but in flames when the device they used sparked a wildfire that burned thousands of acres and forced people to flee from a city east of Los Angeles.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - A couple whose gender reveal ceremony sparked a Southern California wildfire that killed a firefighter last year were charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities announced Tuesday.
Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. and Angela Renee Jimenez pleaded not guilty Monday to charges involving the El Dorado Fire, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced at a news conference.
“That’s the only reason he was there,” he added.
The El Dorado Fire erupted on Sept. 5 when the couple and their young children staged a baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains.
A Cal Fire official on Sept. 7 told The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the family had absolutely been cooperating with officials.
Over a 23-day period, the fire burned 22,680 acres in the Oak Glen and Yucaipa Ridge areas, and within the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area of the San Bernardino National Forest.
The fire forced evacuations and destroyed five residences and 15 other structures, and damaged four residences.
California couple charged in deadly wildfire sparked by gender reveal gone wrong Share Updated: 9:33 PM MDT Jul 20, 2021 Associated Press Share Updated: 9:33 PM MDT Jul 20, 2021
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The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Share Updated: 9:33 PM MDT Jul 20, 2021 Associated Press A couple whose gender reveal ceremony sparked a Southern California wildfire that killed a firefighter last year were charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities announced Tuesday.Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. and Angela Renee Jimenez pleaded not guilty Monday to charges involving the El Dorado Fire, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced at a news conference.The charges included one felony count of involuntary manslaughter, along with other felony and misdemeanor counts related to the fire.The El Dorado Fire erupted on Sept. 5 when the couple and their youn
Couple whose gender reveal stunt sparked El Dorado wildfire that killed firefighter are CHARGED over his death
Updated: 2:16 ET, Jul 21 2021
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THE couple whose gender reveal stunt sparked the El Dorado wildfire that killed a firefighter last year have been charged over his death.
The pair is facing involuntary manslaughter charges, as well as two other counts related to igniting the massive southern California blaze.
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Firefighter Charles Morton was killed in the blazeCredit: AP
Authorities announced on Tuesday that Refugio Manuel Jimenez and Angela Renee Jiminez had pleaded not guilty the day before.
They were released pending a September 15 court date.
Last Updated Tuesday, July 20, 2021 9:45PM EDT SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) - A couple whose gender reveal ceremony sparked a Southern California wildfire that killed a firefighter last year were charged with involuntary manslaughter, authorities announced Tuesday. Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. and Angela Renee Jimenez pleaded not guilty Monday to charges involving the El Dorado Fire, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced at a news conference. The charges included one felony count of involuntary manslaughter, along with other felony and misdemeanor counts related to the fire. The El Dorado Fire erupted on Sept. 5 when the couple and their young children staged a baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains.