Authorities have discovered human remains at a site in Esparto, California, where a significant explosion occurred at fireworks warehouses on Tuesday, rattling the local community.
No identification has been confirmed as of Friday, according to reports.
The facilities involved were licensed to handle fireworks, but state fire officials indicated they lacked permission for the storage practices in place.
Seven people were reported missing following the blast, and among those identified by family are Jesus Ramos and Carlos Rodriguez.
Recovery efforts continue over the weekend, with officials stating they would hold off on releasing names until next of kin are notified.
Additionally, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to utilize rapid DNA testing for victim identification, typically employed in mass casualty incidents.
Video footage captured the explosion, which sent a massive plume of smoke and debris into the sky. Residents within a mile radius were evacuated, as the explosion sparked a fast-moving brush fire across several acres.
Further videos showed flames continuing to erupt from the site, causing additional explosions and sending more debris aloft.
The facility is owned by a company named Catastrophic Fireworks. In their statement following the incident, they expressed their condolences for those lost and emphasized their commitment to supporting affected families, as well as cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
