Fatal Fireworks Explosion Probed

Investigators in Arizona searching for a cause in last weekend’s pyrotechnic disaster that killed a Moorpark woman are hoping two survivors of the blast can help piece together what went wrong.

Michele Galanda, 36, died Monday, a day after stacks of fireworks exploded hours before a Fourth of July fireworks show as she and several co-workers were unloading the pyrotechnic devices at Peoria Sports Complex, about 12 miles outside of Phoenix.

Investigators are waiting to interview Jeff Frazier, 36, of Moorpark and Joyce Gyorwfy, 59, of Newbury Park, said Larry Bettendorf of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

“The information is going to give us a very in-depth look at what they were doing . . . and see if there were any flaws,” he said. “Realistically, we may be able to narrow it down to a couple of causes.”

Frazier remained hospitalized at Maricopa County Medical Center in critical but stable condition with burns over 75% of his body.

Gyorwfy, who was hospitalized in fair condition on Sunday with burns, was released Wednesday. She is believed to be headed to a burn center either in California or Utah, where investigators hope to speak with her in a couple of weeks, Bettendorf said.

Two other employees who sustained minor injuries during the explosion aren’t believed to be valuable to the investigation, he said.