Latest news with #YoloCountySheriff
CBS News
04-07-2025
- CBS News
California fireworks warehouse explosion leaves family of missing brothers searching for answers
Family members are in agony on day three of the investigation into what happened at the fireworks facility in Esparto after several explosions on Tuesday. The parents of three brothers — 18-year-old Jesus Ramos, 22-year-old Johnny Ramos and 28-year-old Junior Melendez — faced the danger head-on, desperate to find their sons after the fireworks facility they worked at exploded. Their mother, Marisol Ramos, said she and her husband went to the facility themselves, looking for their sons the night of the explosions. When they got there, they said they were the only ones around. Marisol said they were the only ones brave enough to enter the grounds. "No police, no fire department, no agencies. Nobody. It was just me and my husband inside in there," Marisol said. Law enforcement said the volatility of the fireworks and other explosives being set off was too dangerous to get close to. "We cannot move forward and risk any more injury to anyone else on this scene, so I appreciate and understand how much you want answers and we're doing everything we can to bring you that," said Undersheriff Matt Davis with the Yolo County Sheriff's Department. "I know putting your life at risk for some people you don't know is a lot to take in, but those are people. They have families, they have babies. My nephews don't have a father anymore," said Jhanelly Ramos, the sister of the missing brothers. The Ramos family stuck close to the media, saying it was their only source of information. "That's how bad this situation is," Jhanelly said. "Nobody is really understanding that except for you guys. The news. You guys are actually being helpful." Families listened to Wednesday's press conference, confronting officials on the handling of disseminating information when it comes to the seven missing people. "You guys aren't focused well enough on the people in there. When there's families sick to their stomachs, losing sleep," said Syanna Ruiz, girlfriend of one of the missing men. A day later, at the next press conference, members of the media were told to drive further toward the facility and check into an area they were only allowed to enter. "I asked very respectfully if I could go through because I have victims, ya know, those are my three brothers. What does she say? 'No. You can't be here, get out,'" Jhanelly said. Officials did not take any questions after the press conference. They did mention giving hotel vouchers to impacted family members. "If someone was hurt, they could've saved them. Not anymore. I just need my babies. That's all I want. If they're gone, I just need their ashes. I just need to see them and feel them in my hands. That's all I want," Marisol said. Marisol is desperate to find her sons. "I just need some information. Please, I'm begging the city, the state, anybody. I need information, please," she said. Law enforcement said they are doing everything they can to move things along, but the danger and complexity of the situation are making things challenging.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Fireworks facility goes up in flames in Yolo County. CalFire battling wildfire, 7 missing
Seven people are missing after a massive explosion ripped through a fireworks warehouse around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Esparto area of Yolo County. One person has been confirmed dead as of 3 p.m., July 2, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. The explosion sparked a wildfire — called the "Oakdale Fire"—that led to a 78-acre blaze, as first reported by KCRA. As of 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was uncontained and still spreading, according to CalFire. Parts of Esparto have been evacuated. It is unknown if the missing people worked at the warehouse or lived nearby. At 5:50 p.m. Tuesday local fire crews responded to a call of an explosion in the largely rural area of Esparto, said Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence at a press briefing later that night. The incident occurred near the Esparto/Madison area, specifically around County Road 23 and County Road 86A. Responding crews confronted multiple fires at multiple commercial buildings on the site, said Lawrence and more firefighting resources were called in for support. The fire chief said the cause of the explosion is being investigated by California's State Fire Marshal Arson and Bomb Unit. The fire will take time to cool, and once it does, explosive experts must safely enter the site to assess and secure the area, according to the Yolo County Sheriff's Office, and is 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. Esparto is a small rural community (population: 3,700) in Yolo County, approximately 40 miles west of Sacramento. (This story was updated with new information and a video.) This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Explosions at fireworks warehouse lead to 78-acre fire in Yolo County
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Stockton Speedway, Lodi Lake fireworks shows canceled after Esparto warehouse fire
Two Independence Day fireworks shows in San Joaquin County are being canceled following the July 1 explosion of a Yolo County warehouse that was storing their pyrotechnics. Thursday night's fireworks show at the New Stockton 99 Speedway is canceled, the Noceti Group, which operates the track, announced on social media. The Lodi Lake fireworks show, scheduled the evening of Friday, July 4, also is canceled. The city of Lodi attributed the Fourth of July fireworks cancellation to the warehouse fire in Esparto, the small rural Yolo community where the fireworks for the show were kept. The warehouse had several explosions around 6 p.m. Tuesday. Other structures on the property caught fire and flames spread into grass fire, forcing evacuations in the area. The cause of the fire is still unknown, said the Yolo County Sheriff's Office. "We are heartbroken to share that this year's Lodi Lake fireworks show has been cancelled," city of Lodi officials said Wednesday on social media. "We know how much this tradition means to our community, and this news saddens us deeply. Our deepest condolences and thoughts go out those affected by this tragedy. No alternate show is planned at this time." The Esparto Fire Protection District and Cal Fire — Office of the State Fire Marshal said in a joint statement on Wednesday morning that seven people remained unaccounted for. "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," officials said. Regarding the show at the Stockton speedway, promoter Tony Noceti and his team explored every possible alternative, but replacements were unavailable due to the short notice, the group said. "We ask that you please keep the families and all those affected by the Esparto explosion in your thoughts and prayers," the Noceti Group said. Friday's Lodi Lakes fireworks show was set to begin around 9:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July. City officials said the community can still enjoy Fourth of July festivities at Lodi Lake on Friday. The park will be open to the public from 2 to 8 p.m., with normal park rules in effect. Tickets are still available for the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, set for 7 to 11 a.m. on Friday at 1101 W. Turner Road in Lodi. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, city officials said. Bike parking will be available in the West Beach lot. Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. The Boathouse will also be open for reservations. To make a reservation, visit City officials encourage visitors to walk or bike when possible, as parking is "extremely limited" and no vehicles will be allowed inside the park. To learn more about Lodi's Fourth of July festivities, visit Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@ or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at This article originally appeared on The Record: Esparto fire, explosion cancels Stockton Speedway, Lodi Lake fireworks
The Independent
02-07-2025
- The Independent
Aerial footage shows scene of devastation after huge explosion at fireworks warehouse
Smoke was seen billowing from a burning pyrotechnics warehouse in California following a huge explosion which caused several fireworks to be ignited. Aerial footage taken on Tuesday (1 July) shows fireworks shooting from the building, sparking multiple blazes across the surrounding farmland. Locals fled to safety as officials placed a one-mile evacuation order due to the 'immediate threat to life'. '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 Yolo County Sheriff's Office said. It confirmed that there were no immediate reports of injuries and that it would be launching an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Arab News
02-07-2025
- Arab News
Explosion at a California fireworks warehouse sets off fires and forces evacuations
CALIFORNIA: An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in northern California caused several fires, sending black smoke into the air and forcing evacuations, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. People were urged to avoid the area of Esparto and Madison for several days following the Tuesday night explosion, which set off multiple fireworks and caused a large fire that led to other spot fires and collapsed the building. '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 said in a news release. The cause of the explosion was under investigation, the office said. The fire had reached 78 acres (32 hectares) as of Tuesday night, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Esparto is in a rural area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento. 'We do believe this location is owned by an active pyrotechnic license holder,' Deputy State Fire Marshal Kara Garrett told KXTV. She added: '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.' Gov. Gavin Newsom's office posted that it was tracking the fire 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 statement said.
