A fireworks warehouse fire triggered a massive explosion and multiple spot fires near Esparto, prompting evacuations

By Sean Campbell, Michael McGough
The Sacramento Bee

ESPARTO, Calif. — A large explosion rocked the town of Esparto after a fireworks warehouse caught fire Tuesday evening in rural Yolo County.

One warehouse located on the 17800 block of County Road 23 near County Road 86A, about a mile south of the town, was believed to have sparked “numerous spot fires” in the area, Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence said. Explosions could still be seen in the area as of 10 p.m. and an acrid smell wafted across the fields around the one-mile evacuation area.

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Just after 10 p.m., authorities expanded the mandatory evacuation zone to tracks south of County Road 23.

In an update, CAL FIRE reported the blaze, dubbed the Oakdale Fire, at 78 acres after crews were able to halt forward progress about 7:30 p.m.

Lawrence said crews had contained the surrounding spot fires and established a perimeter around the property, which contained multiple outbuildings.

Evacuations of ranches and homes near the fires were expected to remain in place through the night, authorities said.

Personnel from the Esparto Fire Protection District responded to the initial explosion at roughly 5:50 p.m. and called in additional resources, Lawrence said. Multiple fire agencies, including CAL FIRE, responded.

Authorities declined to comment on whether anyone was injured or the number of damaged structures, but Lawrence confirmed that multiple structures had been damaged or destroyed. The name of the business on the premises was also not disclosed by the authorities.

The State Fire Marshal’s Arson and Bomb Unit was on scene investigating the incident, Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Hernan Oviedo said.

Several residents remained beyond the taped-off roads at the Buckhorn Meat Co. and Dollar General after rushing away from danger.

“All we felt was everything shake,” said Bryan Sandoval, a resident of Esparto, who was at his home when he heard the first explosion. He said his home was not damaged but he and his family evacuated along with others next door.

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