Multiple explosions ripped through a fireworks warehouse in Esparto, CA on the evening of Tuesday, July 1, leveling parts of the site, igniting a wildfire, and sending a plume of smoke 15,000 feet into the air.
The Oakdale Fire, sparked by the blast, has already burned dozens of acres.
A Fireworks Warehouse Goes Up in Flames
The explosion happened just after 6 p.m. at a facility located at County Road 23 and County Road 86A. Residents nearby say they felt their homes shake violently, and explosions continued long after the initial blast. Some described it as “feeling like an earthquake.”
Several families reported that loved ones were working at the site and haven’t been heard from since. Officials have now confirmed seven people are missing.
The Oakdale Fire: An Ongoing Emergency
CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal are treating the ensuing Oakdale Fire as an active incident. The area remains dangerous, and evacuation orders are still in place. Investigators are on site to assess the hazards in an effort to get residents back to their homes and reduce the evacuation zone.
What We Know and What We Still Don’t Know
The warehouse was tied to a licensed pyrotechnics company believed to be Devastating Pyrotechnics Inc. As part of the investigation, officials are looking into whether the facility was following all required safety rules. Operations like this are supposed to follow strict state and federal regulations governing how fireworks and explosives are stored.
Professional-grade fireworks are not like the kind people buy at roadside stands. These are industrial devices that can contain many times more explosive material. That’s why both state and federal regulations place strict limits on how and where they can be stored.
The public deserves to know:
- Was this facility in compliance with safety regulations?
- Were proper storage and distance rules followed?
- Was anyone inspecting this site before the explosion?
What You Can Do If You or a Loved One Was Affected
If you or a loved one were injured or a family member is missing as a result of Tuesday’s explosion and fire, you may have a claim against those responsible.
At Danko Meredith, we’ve handled cases just like these where unsafe operations led to catastrophic losses. We’ve gone up against major corporations, utility companies, and industrial operators. And we know how to hold them accountable.
Call us today at (650) 453-3600 for a free consultation.