7 missing after massive explosion and fire at California warehouse filled with fireworks: Officials

The explosion took place in Esparto late Tuesday night.

Seven people are missing after a warehouse filled with fireworks caught fire and set off a series of massive explosions in Northern California’s Yolo County late Tuesday.

“First responders and investigators are working diligently with the property owner to determine the whereabouts of those individuals,” Cal Fire and the Esparto Fire Protection District said in a joint statement Wednesday. “We have investigators monitoring the area remotely utilizing unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to assess hazards and further the investigation.”

Officials said the scene “remains an active crime scene.”

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.

Hudson Sheats via Reuters

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.