7 Missing After Fireworks Warehouse Explodes in Northern California
The cause of the explosion in Esparto, Calif., remained unclear. A one-mile evacuation order was still in effect on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.By Claire Moses
July 2, 2025 Updated 4:05 p.m. ET
Seven people remained unaccounted for a day after an explosion at a warehouse storing fireworks in Northern California, the authorities said on Wednesday.
A fire broke out in the warehouse just after 6 p.m. Pacific time on Tuesday, Cal Fire, the state’s firefighting agency, said in a statement on Wednesday. The fire triggered an enormous pyrotechnics display along with flames and smoke in a largely rural area of Esparto, Calif., about 30 miles northwest of Sacramento, officials said.
Officials did not immediately give any information about injuries but said that multiple structures were on fire. A cause was still unknown on Wednesday.
Cal Fire said that while the fireworks warehouse was “owned by an active pyrotechnic license holder,” investigators would work to determine whether all of its operations were in line with license requirements.
“This type of incident is very rare,” Cal Fire said in its statement.
When firefighters arrived on Tuesday evening, they found “numerous explosions and numerous wildfires throughout the area,” Curtis Lawrence, the chief of the Esparto Fire Protection District, said at a news conference on Tuesday night. The fires covered about 80 acres, he said, adding that firefighters had those under control while crews battled the main blaze.
“The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,” the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Tuesday night. The Sheriff’s Office urged people to avoid the area for at least several days.
The Sheriff’s Office announced a one-mile evacuation zone around the warehouse and urged people to avoid the area. The evacuation order remained in effect on Wednesday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Office said that it was not “investigating anything criminal at this time,” and added that the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s arson and bomb unit was taking the lead in the investigation.
A joint statement from the city of Marysville, the city of Yuba City, Sutter County and Yuba County identified the operator of the warehouse as Devastating Pyrotechnics. The company’s website and social media accounts did not appear to be active on Wednesday afternoon and company officials could not be reached for comment.
The fireworks for the joint Yuba-Sutter region’s Fourth of July celebration were destroyed, according to the statement, which noted that “honoring those affected” by the explosion was the top priority. Devestating Pyrotechnics had been “a trusted partner” and a “cherished part” of past firework celebrations, according to the statement.
“This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the many hands behind the scenes who help create joy for others,” the statement said.
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