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Authorities recovered the bodies of seven victims on Sunday, when rescuers reportedly went missing.
Television news reports showed several explosions at a fireworks facility in the Yoro County community in Esparto, about 30 miles northwest of Sacramento. The explosion followed a flame in a warehouse owned by active fireworks license holders, according to state firefighters.
A brush fire broke out in the area as seven people were reported missing after the explosion. The video features a thick, black smoke plume emanating from the warehouse, and KCRA-TV helicopter video shows bright sparks popping out of the burning structure, followed by a massive explosion.
In a statement, European County officials said Sunday that they would not identify the deceased until the family has been officially notified. However, last week, several media outlets reported that some of the victims were believed to be warehouse employees.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation by many agencies, including the U.S. Alcohol Service, cigarettes, firearms and explosives.
According to the Associated Press, the warehouse is managed by a company called Catastrophic Fireworks, with over 30 years of fireworks shows design and production experience.
“Our hearts and thoughts have impacted the people we lost, their families and everyone in our community,” the company said in a statement last week. “Our focus remains on those who will be directly affected by this tragedy and will fully cooperate with the appropriate authorities in the investigation.”
Times staff writer Nathan Solis contributed to this report.
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