Seven Missing After Explosion at Fireworks Warehouse in Rural California
CALIFORNIA — A powerful explosion at a fireworks warehouse in rural Northern California has left seven people missing and sparked a wildfire that scorched nearly 80 acres of land, state officials confirmed Wednesday.
The blast occurred Tuesday night near Esparto, a small agricultural town about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento. It launched a fireball into the sky and ignited a barrage of fireworks, sending debris flying and triggering a series of spot fires across nearby fields.
Massive Blaze and Evacuations
The explosion created an intense blaze that required a coordinated emergency response. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire was under control by Wednesday morning but had already burned nearly 80 acres of agricultural land.
Officials issued evacuation orders for the surrounding area and urged residents to stay away while crews worked to contain the fire and prevent additional explosions.
The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office stated that explosive experts could not yet access the site due to lingering heat and instability. “The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,” the office said in a statement.
Search for Missing Individuals Underway
Emergency crews are currently working with the property owner and using drones to search for the seven unaccounted-for individuals. Authorities said it remains unclear whether the missing people were employees at the facility or nearby residents.
Deputy State Fire Marshal Kara Garrett described the event as highly unusual. “This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements,” she told local reporters.
Impact on Local Celebrations and Community Response
Two nearby counties have already announced changes to their Fourth of July celebrations, as their fireworks supplies were destroyed in the explosion.
The incident has rattled the small community of Esparto and raised fresh questions about fireworks storage and regulation in agricultural zones. Fire officials are continuing to monitor the site while the investigation remains active.
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