At least seven people are missing following a massive explosion and fire at a fireworks warehouse in Esparto, Northern California, on Tuesday (July 1, 2025). The incident injured two individuals and caused flames to spread to nearby crops and vegetation. A series of explosions occurred late on Tuesday evening after a fire broke out at the facility, located just days before the traditional July 4th fireworks displays across the United States.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) confirmed that seven individuals remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams are working around the clock alongside the facility’s owner to locate those still missing. Officials emphasized that such incidents are rare, as fireworks storage facilities must meet both strict state and federal safety regulations.
Although the two injured have been reported out of danger, firefighters have not yet entered the warehouse due to the risk of further explosions from stored pyrotechnic materials. ‘The situation is very complex and dangerous,’ said Curtis Lawrence, chief of the Esparto Fire Department, during a press briefing.
Debris and shrapnel were scattered over a wide area, prompting authorities to establish a large safety perimeter around the site until the flames are fully extinguished. Some relatives of the missing expressed frustration and outrage, with one woman interrupting a press conference to demand answers about her missing partner and his siblings. She accused emergency crews of not focusing enough on those potentially trapped inside the warehouse.
In light of the tragedy, several local communities have canceled their planned fireworks shows scheduled for Independence Day on Friday, July 4.