Clouds of smoke rise following explosions at a firework storage warehouse in Esparto, California, United States, July 1, 2025, in this screengrab taken from a social media video.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in rural Northern California caused a massive fire, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air and forcing evacuations, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
People were urged to avoid the area for several days following the Tuesday night blast, which set off a barrage of fireworks and caused a huge blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building near Esparto. The farming community is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento.
âThe fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,â the Yolo County Sheriffâs Office said in a news release.
The cause of the explosion was under investigation, the sheriffâs office said.
The fire was held at nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) as of Wednesday morning after scorching surrounding agricultural fields, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
âWe do believe this location is owned by an active pyrotechnic license holder,â Deputy State Fire Marshal Kara Garrett told KXTV in Sacramento. She added: âThis type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements.â
Gov. Gavin Newsomâs office said it was tracking what happened and that state ground and air resources were deployed.
âThe State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed,â the governorâs office said on the social site X.
Published â July 03, 2025 02:00 am IST
