ESPARTO, Calif. — A devastating explosion and subsequent fire at a fireworks warehouse in this Northern California community has resulted in the discovery of human remains, raising concerns as authorities continue their investigation. The incident occurred at Devastating Pyrotechnics on July 1, leaving seven individuals unaccounted for.
On Friday, Yolo County officials reported that coroner’s personnel had access to the site and found human remains, though no positive identifications have been made so far. The tragic events have left families searching for answers about their loved ones, with many hoping for their safe return.
The explosion, which took place around 5:50 p.m., not only destroyed the fireworks facility on County Roads 23 and 86A but also led to extensive damage to surrounding structures and ignited grass fires that charred around 80 acres. Yolo County officials have indicated that two people sustained injuries and received medical treatment, but no firefighters were harmed during the emergency response.
According to public records, Yolo County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Sam Machado resided on the property, which was encompassed by the explosion’s devastation. While Machado’s home was destroyed, law enforcement has yet to confirm if he suffered any injuries. Additionally, an Esparto volunteer firefighter was linked to a fireworks business license for the same address, prompting further scrutiny of the facility’s operations.
Efforts by investigators to assess the damage were initially hindered by safety concerns due to the presence of explosive materials. Officials reported using drones to gain a better understanding of the environment as crews worked to cool down any remaining hotspots. Evacuations were mandated for a one-mile radius around the area, with access to streets leading to the warehouse restricted.
Cal Fire has taken the helm of the investigation, collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine the incident’s cause. Families of the seven missing individuals have been trying to reach out for information. Among them, 18-year-old Syanna Ruiz described her boyfriend, Jesus Ramos, and his two brothers, Johnny and Junior, as being inside the facility during the explosion.
As authorities delve deeper into the events surrounding the explosion, questions are emerging about the legality of the operations at Devastating Pyrotechnics. A review of state records shows the business holds active licenses for importing and exporting fireworks, but local planning officials indicate that it lacks the necessary permits to store fireworks at its Esparto location. This has raised alarms regarding compliance with safety regulations.
In light of the unaccounted individuals and the community’s distress, the fireworks company issued a statement expressing sympathy for those affected. While Devastating Pyrotechnics previously marketed its longstanding service to Northern California for 30 years, its website has since shifted to focus solely on the ongoing tragedy, with a lawyer handling further inquiries.
Residents nearby reported their homes shaking during the explosions, experiencing what some described as an earthquake-like intensity. The incident also disrupted utilities, leaving nearly 2,200 customers without power, though service has since been restored for most.
As investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events that led to this catastrophe, the community remains on edge, grappling with uncertainty and the hope for closure as they await more information.