Seven people missing after fireworks warehouse explosion in Esparto
(Photo by Nicholas Wilson for Solano NewsNet)
An evacuation order remains in place for the towns of Esparto and Madison following a massive explosion that resulted in a large fire and several smaller blasts at a fireworks warehouse on Tuesday.
Seven people are still missing after the explosion, according to information released by CAL FIRE and the Esparto Fire Department on Wednesday. The agencies are working with the owners of the property to determine the whereabouts of the individuals, whose identities were not released.
Investigators are still not clear if anyone was injured or killed in the blast.
The explosion occurred around 5:50 p.m. at a warehouse near the intersection of County Road 23 and County Road 86A in Yolo County.
A CAL FIRE crew assigned to work on a vegetation fire in nearby Vacaville heard and saw the explosion and quickly dispatched additional resources to Yolo County.
A news helicopter from KPIX-TV (Channel 5, CBS) was over the Vacaville fire when its pilot heard and saw the explosion as well. Footage shared by KPIX showed a large plume of smoke coming from Yolo County, and the helicopter captured video that showed numerous buildings and cars on fire.
At least three smaller explosions were reported during the fire, including two that were captured on video by Sacramento TV station KCRA (Channel 3, NBC) during their newscast.
The cause of the first explosion and subsequent blasts are still unknown. The explosions triggered a handful of spot fires that burned vegetation throughout the evening and into Wednesday morning.
Fire officials are maintaining a perimeter around the fireworks warehouse and other parts of Madison and Esparto, and the initial scene remains active. CAL FIRE is utilizing drones to survey the blast zone and spot fires.
With the danger still elevated, CAL FIRE says the evacuation order issued on Wednesday remains in place, but that officials are working as quickly as possible to stabilize the event and secure the scene so residents of Madison and Esparto can return home.