7 unaccounted for after explosion at California fireworks warehouse

( NBC )

Seven people were unaccounted for Wednesday after a Northern California warehouse storing fireworks exploded in a huge fireball Tuesday and sent pyrotechnics bursting above the scene, officials said.

Firefighters responded to the warehouse in the Esparto area, northwest of Sacramento, around 5:50 p.m. Tuesday and found explosions and numerous buildings on fire, Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence said.

The warehouse then detonated. Helicopter video showed white smoke pouring from the roof before the warehouse erupted in a fireball.

“Seven individuals remain unaccounted for,” the Esparto Fire Protection District and the State Fire Marshal’s Office said. “First responders and investigators are working diligently with the property owner to determine the whereabouts of those individuals.”

Some Yolo County residents near the scene were forced to flee.

“There is a reduced risk today [Wednesday], but a risk that still remains and thus the evacuation orders are in place,” the fire protection district and the fire marshal's office said.

“Site assessment is ongoing to assess the hazards. It is the goal to get residents back to their homes and possibly reduce the footprint of that evacuation zone,” they said.

Responding firefighters found "a few commercial buildings well-involved, as well as numerous explosions and numerous spot fires throughout the area," Lawrence, the Esparto fire chief, told reporters at the scene Tuesday.

The cause remained under investigation Wednesday, officials said.

Investigators believe the owner of the property is an active pyrotechnic license holder, the fire protection district and the state fire marshal's office said in Wednesday's statement.

"As part of our investigation, we will be working to determine that everything happening at the facility was within our license requirements," they said.

The fireworks company Devastating Pyrotechnics said on its website Wednesday that its management was keeping those impacted in their thoughts, and is cooperating fully with investigators.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community," the statement said.

"We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel. Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation," it said.

An evacuation zone remained in effect near the area, and an evacuation center was set up at the Yolo County Public Library Esparto Branch, the county government said.

The warehouse fire caused multiple spot fires, covering around 80 acres in total, Lawrence said.

Investigators were also using drones to monitor the site Wednesday to assess any hazards, officials said.

Esparto is a community of around 3,000, almost 30 miles northwest of Sacramento.

The explosion happened near the border between Esparto and Madison, which is to the east, the sheriff’s office said.