Sacramento, July 3 (V7N) — Seven people remain unaccounted for following a massive explosion at a fireworks storage facility in Yolo County, Northern California, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred late Tuesday afternoon, July 1, when a “significant explosion” erupted at a warehouse containing fireworks near the town of Esparto, approximately 40 miles northwest of Sacramento.

According to the Esparto Fire Protection District, the blast took place shortly after 6:00 p.m., triggering a series of fires that rapidly spread across the site and surrounding areas. Multiple structures were engulfed in flames, and wildfires scorched approximately 80 acres of nearby grassland.

Emergency response teams from Cal Fire and local fire departments quickly mobilized to contain the fires and assess the damage. The Yolo County Office of Emergency Services confirmed that as of the morning of July 2, seven individuals are still missing.

“First responders and investigators are working diligently with the property owner to determine the whereabouts of those individuals,” said Cal Fire and the Esparto Fire Protection District in a joint news release issued Wednesday.

No fatalities have yet been confirmed, but search and rescue efforts remain ongoing. Authorities have not released the names of the missing, and it remains unclear whether they were employees, contractors, or nearby residents.

An investigation into the cause of the explosion is currently underway. Local officials have not ruled out the possibility of regulatory violations concerning fireworks storage and safety compliance.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of commercial fireworks facilities, particularly in fire-prone regions like Northern California. As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, fire authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid unauthorized fireworks.

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