A devastating explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Esparto, Yolo County, has thrown a wrench into Independence Day plans across Northern California. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has resulted in the cancellation of multiple city fireworks displays and raised serious safety concerns.

The explosion at the commercial fireworks facility has left one person confirmed dead and multiple others unaccounted for, casting a somber shadow over what should be a festive holiday weekend. Cities like San Jose and Cloverdale have already announced the cancellation of their annual Fourth of July fireworks shows due to the destruction of their fireworks supply.

San Jose’s Lake Cunningham Park, which typically hosts multiple fireworks displays, will now be without its pyrotechnic spectacle. The city had already canceled one display at Almaden Lake Park due to previous fire safety concerns, and now the remaining show has been scrapped following the warehouse explosion.

Cloverdale Lions Club expressed deep disappointment, stating that their annual Chuck Sibert Pyro Spectacular would not proceed. “Yesterday, a tragic event took place in Yolo County at the Esparto Firework Facility that destroyed the fireworks housed for many communities like ours,” they shared in a statement.

Local officials in Sutter and Yuba counties are also exploring alternatives to their planned fireworks displays after their supplies were destroyed in the incident. Meanwhile, emergency services continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and manage the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

As of Wednesday afternoon, two people have been treated for injuries, and initially, CalFire reported seven individuals missing. The full extent of the damage and its impact on local communities is still being assessed.

While the cancellation of fireworks shows might seem minor compared to the potential loss of life, it underscores the importance of safety in industrial settings and the ripple effects such incidents can have on community celebrations. The Bay Area will likely be experiencing a quieter and more reflective Independence Day this year.