Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Even hours after the fire began, fireworks still fueled the burning by igniting unpredictably.
It happened just days before Independence Day.
What is happening?
A massive explosion and fire at a commercial fireworks site in Esparto, California, has left seven people missing, Reuters reports.
The incident occurred Tuesday evening, just days before the Fourth of July, shaking the rural community about 40 miles west of Sacramento.
A Fireball Visible for Miles
Local news helicopters captured dramatic footage of the warehouse-sized building obliterated in a towering fireball.
The explosion sent shockwaves through the area and created a thick plume of smoke visible for miles.
Secondary Blasts Lit Up the Night Sky
Following the initial blast, a series of smaller explosions erupted across the site.
Dozens of fireworks stored on the premises detonated sporadically, lighting up the sky and further complicating emergency efforts.
Wildfire Scorches Nearby Land
The flames quickly spread beyond the facility, burning approximately 78 acres of vegetation.
Officials from Cal Fire reported that dry conditions helped fuel the blaze across nearby fields.
Casualties and Missing Persons
Two individuals were injured in the explosion and received medical care.
Seven others remain unaccounted for, according to Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence, who spoke at a news conference on Wednesday.
Cause Still Under Investigation
The exact cause of the explosion is under investigation by the state fire marshal.
The timing—just days before Independence Day—has heightened scrutiny, given the involvement of fireworks.
Live Fireworks Still Pose a Danger
Even hours after the explosion, fireworks continued igniting unpredictably at the scene.
First responders kept a cautious distance, monitoring conditions and waiting for the site to become safe enough for closer inspection.
High-Tech Search for the Missing
Authorities deployed drones and aircraft to search for the missing and assess ongoing risks.
Aerial surveillance is helping navigate the unstable site without putting rescue teams in immediate danger.
Community Impact and Power Outages
An evacuation zone was set up around the blast area, and roughly 150 nearby homes and farms lost power.
Officials urged residents to stay away as cleanup and investigation efforts continue.
A Licensed Facility, But Unclear Operations
The destroyed facility was licensed to sell commercial fireworks for public shows.
However, it’s not yet clear whether it served purely as a storage site or was also used for manufacturing pyrotechnics.
