Explosion erupts at California fireworks warehouse following a significant fire outbreak

A warehouse storing fireworks in California caught fire and exploded on Tuesday, creating a massive fireball and sending debris flying. The explosion caused pyrotechnics to detonate above the site, alarming residents and prompting a swift response from emergency services.

The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office reported that the explosion occurred near Esparto, a community located northwest of Sacramento. Firefighters arrived at the scene around 5:50 p.m. and encountered multiple commercial buildings engulfed in flames and numerous explosions, leading to several spot fires in the vicinity.

Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence declined to provide details regarding potential injuries, emphasizing that the situation was still being assessed. Helicopter footage captured by local news showed flames consuming the facility, revealing at least one building completely ablaze along with sporadic fireworks firing into the sky.

Witnesses described a harrowing sight as thick white smoke billowed from the structure, followed by a series of detonations and airbursts from the fireworks contained within. While the cause of the fire and explosion remained undetermined on Tuesday night, the sheriff’s office indicated there was no apparent criminal activity involved.

Drones were deployed to evaluate the damage, and Cal Fire is currently investigating the incident. Yolo County issued an evacuation order for the area, designated as the Oakdale Fire, although some residents were permitted to return later in the evening.

People living south of Highway 16 continued to face evacuation orders due to safety concerns. With a population of around 3,000, Esparto is located nearly 30 miles northwest of Sacramento, close to the border with Madison to the east.