Bodies of 7 recovered after deadly California fireworks warehouse explosion

6 days ago

The bodies of seven people reported missing in connection with a Northern California factory explosion have been recovered from the scene, The Yolo County Coroner's Division confirmed.
The victims died in what Yolo County officials called a "significant explosion" on July 1 shortly after 6 p.m. local time at a warehouse storing fireworks south of the community of Esparto, about 82 miles northeast of Stockton. The explosion sparked the Oakdale Fire, which burned 78 acres. The fire was 100 percent contained as of Sunday, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency.
Crews located the seven victims from the Oakdale Fire, Yolo County officials announced in a Sunday, July 7 news release.
Two Independence Day fireworks shows in San Joaquin County were canceled following the explosion. Thursday night's fireworks show at the New Stockton 99 Speedway was 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 was canceled.
More: Stockton Speedway, Lodi Lake fireworks shows canceled after Esparto warehouse fire
See video: Fireworks warehouse explodes in California
The victims identities were being withheld until formal identification is completed and next of kin have been notified, officials wrote in the release.
"The Coroner's Office continues to communicate directly with the families and will provide further updates as appropriate," officials wrote.
Esparto Fire Protection District and The Yolo County Sheriff's Office responded to the blast which officials reported caused fires at several structures as well as multiple grass fires.
"Crews are continuing to mitigate explosive hazards present at the scene," Yolo County posted on Facebook.
Officials previously said they believe the facility is owned by someone with an active pyrotechnic license, but were working to determine the owner properly met license requirements.
At the request of the Esparto Fire Protection District, CAL FIRE – OSFM's Arson and Bomb Investigation Unit is heading the fire's origin and cause investigation.
Both remained under investigation by the state fire marshal on Monday, Cal Fire reported.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the sheriff's office at 530-666-8282.
Contributing: Angelaydet Rocha, The Stockton Record, and Anthony Robledo
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bodies of 7 killed in California firework factory explosion recovered