Several people disappeared after the fire, and California fireworks facilities exploded
Seven people have disappeared after a fire and a powerful explosion in rural Northern California. Authorities said Wednesday.
Antenna footage from local news media showed that the large warehouse-like building blew a huge thunder and lightning on Tuesday night, shaking the vast area around the Yulo County community in Emma County, about 64 kilometers west of the state capital Sacramento.
The explosion, emitting a strong black smoke, followed by dozens of smaller explosions, flashing over the scene, apparently ignited by fireworks stocks stored at the site.
The flames in the explosion were scattered in about 32 hectares of explosions around surrounding vegetation, said Jason Clay, a spokesman for the California Forestry and Fire Department.
Esparto Fire District Director Curtis Lawrence told reporters at a briefing about 24 hours later that the two injured in the initial incident were treated and the other seven were missing.
National Fire Marshal Investigation
Lawrence said the cause of the incident was three days during the Fourth Independence Day celebration in July, usually involving fireworks displays.
Firefighters and other emergency response personnel are maintaining safe distance from the site until Wednesday night, with the ongoing risk of the fireworks still being randomly isolated as the team continues to assess the ongoing risks posed by the on-site fireworks.
Lawrence said the convoy was flying drones and aircraft, trying to determine the fate of the disappearance and monitor lingering harms.
Authorities declined to say whether the missing person was a factory or a bystander worker, but he said there were no casualties between firefighters or other emergency personnel.
“I can say I haven't seen anything like this yet,” Lawrence said.
Asked when authorities would know when it would be safe enough to venture into the scene further, he said: “It's hard to have a definite answer to when it will become a reality and what it is actually like.”
Lawrence said an evacuation area was established around the site, and about 150 homes and farms had no power due to the incident.
He described the demolished facility as a licensed pyrotechnic technology business involving commercial pyrotechnics for sale. However, it is not clear whether the fireworks are stored there or are produced on site.
