In a tragic scene unfolding in the Esparto area of Yolo County, multiple explosions at a fireworks facility have left seven people unaccounted for, according to Cal Fire.
The chaos began with a call reporting a structure fire at approximately 5:49 p.m. on Tuesday, along County Road 23 and County Road 86A. LiveCopter 3 was immediately dispatched to the scene, seeing a substantial plume of black smoke visible from miles away.
The initial flames triggered a series of explosions, igniting additional fireworks and engulfing at least two nearby homes and numerous vehicles, leading to spot vegetation fires in the vicinity.
Cal Fire has confirmed that first responders are currently working alongside the property owner to search for the seven individuals who remain unaccounted for. While no identities have been officially released, a woman has identified one of the missing individuals as her boyfriend, Jesus Maneces Ramos, who was only 18 years old and had just started his first day at the facility.
Syanna Ruiz, his girlfriend, expressed immense concern for his well-being, noting that they are expecting a child together. She stated that Ramos was originally supposed to finish work by 2 or 3 p.m., which raises questions as to why he was still there at the time of the explosion.
During a news briefing, Ruiz confronted Cal Fire officials via a reporter’s microphone, voicing her frustrations about the investigation and highlighting the urgency of locating the missing individuals. Her compelling plea was met with prompts for reporters to move on to other questions, showcasing the emotional weight of the situation.
Moreover, a father of three of the missing employees conveyed his distress, revealing that two of his sons had just begun their jobs at the facility the same day. The use of drones has been initiated to survey any remaining hazards due to the explosion, and it has been confirmed that the facility is operated by an active pyrotechnic license holder.
Cal Fire has designated one of the resulting fires as the Oakdale Fire, which arose shortly after the initial incident at around 6:02 p.m. This fire has reportedly scorched over 78.3 acres. Crews at the scene noted a decrease in significant flames but mentioned lingering smoke at daybreak.
First responders have maintained a substantial distance from the fire scene, pushing back media and civilians by one mile due to ongoing safety concerns. Richard Meier, an expert on fireworks accidents, indicated that unignited fireworks might still pose a threat, necessitating the cautious approach of the crews. During a briefing later in the day, Chief Curtis Lawrence from the Esparto Fire Protection District confirmed that precautions would be taken to secure a safe perimeter while addressing spot fires.
Cal Fire, alongside Governor Gavin Newsom’s office, is actively monitoring the situation, with the state fire marshal sending a specialized investigation team to unravel the cause of the explosions.
As authorities call for a one-mile evacuation area surrounding the site, residents are being cautiously allowed to return, with many households affected by power outages. PG&E reported that over 2,000 customers lost power due to the explosions on Tuesday, with restoration efforts ongoing, although some residents still experience outages.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has dismissed speculations that a plane crash might have contributed to the incident, confirming that there have been no reports of downed aircraft in the area.
Investigative experts predict that a comprehensive analysis of the incident might take up to a year to conclude, given the involvement of numerous governmental agencies.
In terms of community impact, local Fourth of July events face significant disruptions. A joint statement from the Yuba-Sutter Region confirmed that Devastating Pyrotechnics, the company linked to the fireworks, had its inventory for the upcoming holiday show destroyed in the explosion, leading to uncertainties regarding whether any fireworks-themed segment will proceed.
The city of Lodi announced that its Fourth of July show has been canceled as a direct result of the incident. Meanwhile, Rancho Cordova officials indicated that their display remains unaffected and will be conducted as planned.
Despite the smoke and chaos, air quality reports remain within healthy ranges. As this story continues to develop, the search for the seven missing individuals remains a priority for law enforcement and firefighting teams engaged in managing the aftermath of this catastrophic event.
image source from：kcra
