Seven people are missing after a fireworks warehouse near Esparto, Calif., caught fire Tuesday evening, which led to several explosions and multiple spot fires across 80 acres.
The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday that the cause of the explosion remains unknown and that it’s still an active evacuation zone around the property. Footage of the area shows a destroyed facility.
“The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area,” the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook. “We strongly urge everyone to continue avoiding the area for the next several days so that fire crews, law enforcement, and emergency personnel can do their jobs safely and effectively.”
The Esparto Fire Protection District and CAL Fire said Wednesday that seven people remain unaccounted for and that first responders and investigators are “working diligently” to find them.