Seven people are missing after a series of explosions at a warehouse in Northern California. The blasts lit up the night sky with fireworks and sparked a brush fire in the area. This incident occurred at a facility in Esparto, a small community about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, which is licensed for pyrotechnics.
Emergency crews are currently searching the warehouse for the missing individuals, who are believed to have been working there at the time of the explosions. As of now, authorities have not released the names of those missing, but family members are anxiously waiting for news. One family member, Syanna Ruiz, shared that her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, and his brother, along with another relative, were inside the warehouse when the fire broke out.
The explosions were triggered by a fire at the pyrotechnics facility, which is owned by a licensed operator according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire chief reported that crews found commercial buildings engulfed in flames and experienced multiple explosions upon their arrival. Video footage from the scene showed thick black smoke and bright sparks shooting from the structure.
As the situation developed, residents in Esparto and nearby Madison were ordered to evacuate due to the risk posed by burning pyrotechnic materials. Although officials noted a reduced risk of the fire spreading, they cautioned that the threat still exists. The fire, dubbed the Oakdale fire, has burned approximately 78 acres by Wednesday night and remains uncontained.
Investigators are looking into whether all operations at the warehouse complied with safety regulations for pyrotechnics. Cal Fire stated that incidents like this are rare because facilities must adhere to strict state and federal safety standards.
The explosions occurred just days before the Fourth of July holiday, raising concerns about planned fireworks displays in the region. San José Mayor Matt Mahan announced that the fireworks intended for a local celebration were lost in the incident, although a festival will still take place, possibly featuring a drone show instead.
As the search continues, families are holding onto hope for the missing individuals, while officials work to secure the area and determine the cause of the explosions. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office has warned residents to stay away from the site as the investigation unfolds.