Seven people remain missing following a devastating explosion and fire that obliterated a commercial fireworks facility in the rural Yolo County community of Esparto, approximately 40 miles west of Sacramento.
The blast, which occurred Tuesday evening, unleashed a towering fireball and a series of secondary explosions that shook the surrounding area, just days ahead of US Independence Day celebrations. Local officials say two individuals were injured in the initial explosion and are receiving treatment, while rescue teams continue searching for those unaccounted for.
Aerial footage captured by local media shows the warehouse-like structure reduced to rubble, with flames scorching approximately 78 acres of nearby vegetation. A dense cloud of black smoke and dozens of pyrotechnic bursts lit up the sky in the aftermath of the explosion.
“I can say I have not seen anything like this,” said Curtis Lawrence, Chief of the Esparto Fire Protection District, during a press briefing on Wednesday. “We are still trying to determine the fate of the missing individuals, but conditions remain too hazardous to enter the site.”
Emergency response teams, assisted by drones and aircraft, are monitoring the scene for ongoing risks. Authorities say fireworks continue to detonate sporadically, hampering search and rescue efforts. Officials have established an evacuation zone around the area and confirmed that roughly 150 homes and farms are currently without power.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office. Chief Lawrence confirmed that the facility was licensed for handling commercial fireworks intended for public displays. However, it remains unclear whether manufacturing, in addition to storage, occurred at the site.
Lawrence declined to confirm whether the missing individuals were workers or bystanders, but assured the public that no first responders were injured.
“When it comes to determining when it’s safe to go in, it’s tough to get a definitive answer,” he said. “We are proceeding with extreme caution.”
The incident has drawn national attention, especially given its timing ahead of the July 4th holiday, when fireworks usage and safety are at the forefront of public concern. Local and state officials are urging nearby residents to remain alert and follow evacuation guidelines as the investigation continues.
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