Seven people are missing after a massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse shook a rural California community, upending Fourth of July celebrations and leading to an investigation into the incident. 

The fiery blast occurred Tuesday evening at a Yolo County property used by Devastating Pyrotechnics, a San Francisco-based company known for staging large-scale fireworks displays.

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During a Wednesday press conference, Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence revealed two people were injured in the explosion, which he described as an “incident of great magnitude.” They received medical care and are doing “OK,” he said, as investigators continue to probe the cause of the disaster that unsettled Esparto, a small, rural town of fewer than 4,000 people.

Among those missing are three brothers who recently started working at the facility, family members told the media during the press conference. Syanna Ruiz, who is pregnant with her first child, said her boyfriend and his two brothers had disappeared.  

Lawrence said the area remains too dangerous for crews to search for those missing and that the “risk is just too high.” 

“It’s a once-in-a-career type of incident,” the fire chief said.

Fireworks reserved for a local Fourth of July celebration were destroyed in the blast, according to a statement shared by a supervisor for nearby Yuba County. Some celebrations have been rescheduled for the following day, officials said. 

“Devastating Pyrotechnics has been a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations. Their team brought not just fireworks, but joy, pride, and tradition to our community on Independence Day,” Supervisor Gary Bradford wrote. 

“We have learned that the fireworks intended for our July 4th show were destroyed in the blaze. While public safety and honoring those affected remain our top priorities, our local municipalities (City of Marysville, City of Yuba City, Sutter County and Yuba County) are actively exploring alternative options for the celebration,” he continued. 

The cause of the explosion remains unknown, and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Jason Clay promised the investigation would be “lengthy.” 

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“We do have aerial reconnaissance going on, and that is a big part of the investigation,” he said.

Yolo County officials issued mandatory evacuations for a 1-mile stretch after the blast collapsed the warehouse and several structures on the property caught fire, although residents have since been permitted to return home.