Latest news with #JesusRamos
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
ATF investigates Northern California fireworks explosion; 7 warehouse workers still missing
A pyrotechnics business in Northern California has confirmed that an unspecified number of its employees were "lost" when a warehouse full of fireworks exploded earlier this week, sparking a wildfire and days-long evacuation for nearby communities. On Wednesday evening, Devastating Pyrotechnics released a statement saying seven of its workers were "unaccounted for" at their warehouse in Esparto, about 40 miles northwest of Sacramento. "Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community," the company said in a statement. "Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation." As of Thursday morning, officials had not confirmed anyone was killed in the blast. What triggered the massive explosion is under investigation by local, state and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Authorities are also checking if the facility was in line with requirements to operate as a pyrotechnics facility. The explosion also started the Oakdale fire, which has burned 78 acres and was 60% contained Thursday morning. Syanna Ruiz said her boyfriend, Jesus Ramos, 18, was working at the warehouse on Tuesday when the fire started, according to the Sacramento Bee. Ruiz told the paper her boyfriend's brother and stepbrother were among the missing. As of Thursday, officials said crews were still unable to go in and do a full inspection of the scene because of the risk from unexploded fireworks. Members of the Esparto Fire Protection District were working to build safe access to the site so investigators could search the location. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CTV News
14 hours ago
- CTV News
Search continues for 7 missing after huge explosion at California fireworks warehouse
In this aerial image taken from video, smoke and flames rise from a fireworks warehouse explosion, July 1, 2025, Esparto, Calif. (KGO via AP) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rescue crews were searching on Thursday for seven people still missing days after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California shook a tiny farming community and forced the cancellation of nearby July Fourth celebrations. The barrage of fireworks that exploded Tuesday caused a massive blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building in Yolo County about 40 miles (64 kilometres) northwest of Sacramento. Family members gathered near a sheriff's checkpoint about a mile from the blast site in rural Esparto, hoping for news about their loved ones. Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant, said her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, was working his first day at the warehouse when the explosion occurred. Ramos' brothers, 22-year-old Johnny Ramos and 28-year-old Junior Melendez, were also missing, she said. 'I'm just praying to God that some way, somehow, they're OK,' Ruiz told the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday. Two people were treated for injuries, officials said. The cause of the explosion was under investigation. The warehouse was managed by Devastating Pyrotechnics, which has more than 30 years of experience designing and producing fireworks shows in the Bay Area, according to a screenshot of its website before it was taken down. The company, with headquarters in both San Francisco and Esparto, focuses mainly on display fireworks for big productions instead of those for retail. 'Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community,' the company said in a statement. 'Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.' After Tuesday's blast, officials in nearby Sutter and Yuba counties issued a statement calling the company 'a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations.' Living near a fireworks warehouse always means a risk of fire and explosion, said fire investigator expert Richard Meier, but it is especially dangerous when it involves fireworks for large shows. 'You don't want to live in the house right next door,' he said, adding that such large fireworks can 'shoot a quarter of a mile or more.' Meier said anything from a nearby brush fire to workers using equipment that were potential ignition sources could have triggered the explosion. Fireworks being stored too closely in large quantity also could have contributed to the scale of the blast. The company's lawyer didn't immediately respond to question about whether the business was manufacturing fireworks on-site or how many fireworks were stored at the facility. Authorities were working with the property's owner and monitoring the area using drones to find the missing people as small explosions continued late Wednesday, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. The fire was held at nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) after scorching surrounding agricultural fields, officials said. 'This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements,' Cal Fire said. Nisa Gutierrez told the Sacramento CBS affiliate KOVR-TV that the blast was so strong it blew open the doors of her home, damaging the door frames. She and her daughter were in their yard and were nearly knocked over as their pony and goats scattered. 'We hear like a big boom, and feel the wave,' Gutierrez said. 'I thought it was a bomb.' Crews including a team with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were working to enable safe access to the site 'to conduct recovery operations and bolster investigative efforts for the explosion investigation,' the statement said. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it was tracking what happened and that state ground and air resources were deployed. Officials in nearby Sutter and Yuba counties announced Wednesday that they were exploring alternatives for Fourth of July celebrations after their fireworks were destroyed in the blast. 'This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the many hands behind the scenes who help create joy for others,' they said in a statement. Christopher Weber And Trân Nguyễn, The Associated Press
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Father-to-be missing after nightmarish accident during his first day working at FIREWORKS FACTORY
The girlfriend of a father-to-be expressed her grief and frustration after her boyfriend went missing during his first day working at a fireworks factory. Syanna Ruiz revealed that her boyfriend, Jesus Ramos, 18, was one of the seven people unaccounted for after a chilling fireworks explosion in California. Multiple agencies responded to the explosion at Devastating Pyrotechnics in Esparto, a small community outside of Sacramento, on Tuesday evening. The Esparto Fire Protection District, Yolo County Office of Emergency Services (OES), and CAL Fire released an update on Wednesday that authorities were attempting to 'mitigate hazards' so that first responders could safely access the site. As of Wednesday evening, the site remained 'active and hazardous' with continuous explosions. While emergency responders work to mitigate the area, families of the missing individuals are forced to wait with bated breath. Ruiz is one of those loved ones waiting in fear. She told local ABC affiliate, KSBW-TV, that she has a 'baby on the way' with Ramos. 'We have a baby on the way and I can't even risk things like that right now,' she told the outlet in tears. 'He had so much coming for him and they were saying that there was a warning beforehand but somebody is behind this. There's no way that this just happened.' She added that the explosion happened on her boyfriend's first day and that he was excited to start a new chapter. Ruiz was in attendance for a press conference, where she pressed officials on why the families impacted haven't received more information. 'We were here since yesterday and are yet to receive any information, have yet to see any efforts and yet to see anybody go, to try to find anybody at all who was stuck in the warehouse, who have tried to escape or is possibly stuck under the debris of the warehouse,' Ruiz told officials. Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence said authorities were doing the best they could with the information they had and apologized that the updates may not be what families want to hear. Jason Clay, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, added that authorities hadn't yet approached the scene to protect first responders from danger. 'But you guys are supposed to protect us from danger, you guys are supposed to deal with the danger,' Ruiz hit back. She told local ABC affiliate, KXTV, that Ramos joined the factory with his three brothers, who were also reported missing. 'They were all three incredible men who had so much coming for them. And I'm just praying to God that some way, somehow that they're okay,' she said. Seven people were reported missing, and two people were receiving medical care for injuries, although it's unclear if the two individuals worked at the facility, Lawrence said. Two sources familiar with the incident told the San Francisco Chronicle that at least one person was killed in the explosion. It wasn't confirmed if the individual was an employee of Devastating Pyrotechnics. An evacuation notice was issued for individuals who lived within a mile of the explosion site. Victims' services were set up for the families of the seven people who were reported missing. Authorities haven't confirmed the identities of those who remain unaccounted for or whether they were employed with the pyrotechnics facility. The Daily Mail reached out to the Yolo County Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire for an update on the search. Devastating Pyrotechnics released a statement on their website that read, 'Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community. 'We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel. Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.'
San Francisco Chronicle
18 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Search continues for 7 missing after huge explosion at California fireworks factory
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Rescue crews were searching on Thursday for seven people still missing days after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California shook a tiny farming community and forced the cancellation of nearby July Fourth celebrations. Family members gathered near a sheriff's checkpoint about a mile from the blast site in rural Esparto, hoping for news about their loved ones. Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant, said her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, was working his first day at the warehouse when the explosion occurred. 'I'm just praying to God that some way, somehow, they're OK,' Ruiz told the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday. People were urged to avoid the area after the Tuesday night blast, which set off a barrage of fireworks and caused a massive blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building in Yolo County about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento. Two people were injured and received medical care, Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence said at a news conference Wednesday. Lawrence provided no further information other than to say the two were 'OK,' and it wasn't known if the victims worked at the facility. Emergency crews and investigators were working with the property's owner and monitoring the area using drones to find the missing individuals, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. It was not immediately clear if those missing worked at the warehouse or lived nearby. The cause of the explosion was under investigation. In a statement, the management of the business, Devastating Pyrotechnics, thanked law enforcement and emergency personnel for their swift response. 'Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community," the statement said. 'Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.' The property is owned by "an active pyrotechnic license holder,' Cal Fire said in a statement Wednesday. 'This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements.' The fire was held at nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) after scorching surrounding agricultural fields, officials said. Nisa Gutierrez told the Sacramento CBS affiliate KOVR-TV that the blast was so strong it blew open the doors of her home, damaging the door frames. She and her daughter were in their yard and were nearly knocked over as their pony and goats scattered. 'We hear like a big boom, and feel the wave,' Gutierrez said. 'I thought it was a bomb.' The scene remained hazardous, with explosions continuing into the evening on Wednesday, Cal Fire said in a statement. Crews including a team with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were working to enable safe access to the site 'to conduct recovery operations and bolster investigative efforts for the explosion investigation,' the statement said. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it was tracking what happened and that state ground and air resources were deployed. 'The State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed,' the governor's office said on the social site X. Officials in nearby Sutter and Yuba counties announced Wednesday that they were exploring alternatives for Fourth of July celebrations after their fireworks were destroyed in the blast. 'Devastating Pyrotechnics has been a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations,' the Yuba-Sutter officials said in a statement. 'This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the many hands behind the scenes who help create joy for others.'
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Search continues for 7 missing after huge explosion at California fireworks factory
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Rescue crews were searching on Thursday for seven people still missing days after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Northern California shook a tiny farming community and forced the cancellation of nearby July Fourth celebrations. Family members gathered near a sheriff's checkpoint about a mile from the blast site in rural Esparto, hoping for news about their loved ones. Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant, said her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, was working his first day at the warehouse when the explosion occurred. 'I'm just praying to God that some way, somehow, they're OK,' Ruiz told the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday. People were urged to avoid the area after the Tuesday night blast, which set off a barrage of fireworks and caused a massive blaze that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building in Yolo County about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento. Two people were injured and received medical care, Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence said at a news conference Wednesday. Lawrence provided no further information other than to say the two were 'OK,' and it wasn't known if the victims worked at the facility. Emergency crews and investigators were working with the property's owner and monitoring the area using drones to find the missing individuals, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. It was not immediately clear if those missing worked at the warehouse or lived nearby. The cause of the explosion was under investigation. In a statement, the management of the business, Devastating Pyrotechnics, thanked law enforcement and emergency personnel for their swift response. 'Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community,' the statement said. 'Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.' The property is owned by 'an active pyrotechnic license holder,' Cal Fire said in a statement Wednesday. 'This type of incident is very rare, as facilities like this are required to not only follow our stringent California pyrotechnic requirements, but also federal explosive storage requirements.' The fire was held at nearly 80 acres (33 hectares) after scorching surrounding agricultural fields, officials said. Nisa Gutierrez told the Sacramento CBS affiliate KOVR-TV that the blast was so strong it blew open the doors of her home, damaging the door frames. She and her daughter were in their yard and were nearly knocked over as their pony and goats scattered. 'We hear like a big boom, and feel the wave,' Gutierrez said. 'I thought it was a bomb.' The scene remained hazardous, with explosions continuing into the evening on Wednesday, Cal Fire said in a statement. Crews including a team with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were working to enable safe access to the site 'to conduct recovery operations and bolster investigative efforts for the explosion investigation,' the statement said. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it was tracking what happened and that state ground and air resources were deployed. 'The State Fire Marshal has sent an arson and bomb investigation team, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed,' the governor's office said on the social site X. Officials in nearby Sutter and Yuba counties announced Wednesday that they were exploring alternatives for Fourth of July celebrations after their fireworks were destroyed in the blast. 'Devastating Pyrotechnics has been a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations,' the Yuba-Sutter officials said in a statement. 'This tragic incident is a sobering reminder of the many hands behind the scenes who help create joy for others.'
