Related video: Explosion captured on video at California fireworks facility
ESPARTO, Calif. (AP) — In Northern California, officials have located the bodies of seven individuals who were missing following an explosion at a fireworks warehouse. This incident, which occurred last week, triggered a wildfire and disrupted a small farming community.
On Tuesday, the explosion of fireworks resulted in a significant fire that sparked additional spot fires, leading to the collapse of a building in Yolo County, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento.
Authorities have recovered all the human remains from the burnt warehouse location, but they are withholding the identities of the deceased until families have been informed, according to a statement released by the county on Sunday.
“Crews are continuing to mitigate explosive hazards present at the scene,” the statement said. The cause of the explosion was under investigation.
Two people were treated for injuries following the blast in the town of Encarto, officials said.
The warehouse was managed by Devastating Pyrotechnics, which has more than 30 years of experience designing and producing fireworks shows, according to a screenshot of its website before it was taken down.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community,” the company said in a statement last week. “Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.”
The wildfire covered nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) and scorched surrounding agricultural fields, officials said.
