Lack of safety protocols, failure to save workers, and storing explosive materials without permission killed Elizabeth Tiralongo, 22, Lindsey Philips, 24, Landon Bourland, 23, and David Gonzalez, 22, in December.
The explosion and workplace safety violations in the warehouse kill Elizabeth Tiralongo in Orlando Fire. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has demanded a fine of $109,375 from the company.
The Company, Magic in The Sky, failed to prevent the Orlando fire on December 1, causing injuries. The official reported the fireworks exploding inside the Texas-based warehouse, and emergency rescuers pulled out four workers who died in the hospital.
Fire at the Orlando Warehouse (Credits: Orlando Sentinel)
A fifth victim, Lindsey Tallafus, has dangerous 60 percent burns on her body that hospitalized her for months, as stated in a lawsuit filed by the injured victim. The company, Magic In The Sky, is reported as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Violations Kill Elizabeth Tiralongo in Orlando Fire
Elizabeth Tiralongo, 22, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. BFA graduate Lizzie grew up in South Florida, working a few more shifts at the warehouse, which was a final shift.
Ryan Will, her family attorney, said that this news was devastating for the family when she was working and supposed to be home in the holidays. The girl had a ‘bright future ahead.’
The Tiralongo family should not be mourning the loss of their 22-year-old daughter in an incident that could have been prevented. The people who owned this company never reported to the local government about dangerous activities nor sought permission from the authorities for the safety of workers.
The building had no regulations to ‘eliminate static electricity.’ The workers went in with their mobile phones and were not trained.
Investigations and Lawsuits
The Florida State Fire Marshall officially initiated the investigation into the cause of the fire at the warehouse but later assigned it later to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Forensic experts and local and federal investigators are investigating the warehouse fire.
The Tallafuss lawsuit demands jury trials for all five victims and $50,000 from Magic in The Sky and other defendants, including Seaworld, a client of the fireworks company.
The Warehouse isn’t suitable for commercial explosive storage and worker hazards. The transportation of commercial fireworks was ‘ultra-hazardous,’ ‘reckless behavior,’ and ‘tragic catastrophe.
Sebastiano Tiralonogo, Elizabeth Tiralongo’s father, filed a lawsuit stating that the company had no license or approval for the business of delivery, receipt, storage, and repair of fireworks. He has sued Seaworld, Magic In The Sky, Precocious Pyrotechnics, the fireworks manufacturer, and more defendants for $50,000.
An Orange County commissioner reported that the company had a license to store furniture, not explosives, and did not have smoke alarms. They stored larger and more dangerous fireworks than they were allowed to.
The workers died in lack of training, who were young, from the hotels and restaurant industry. The untrained staff, negligence, and lack of working safety of the warehouse in spite of full knowledge of the dangerous explosives is the cause of the Orlando fire.
