Angel Mathew Voller, Jhony Ernesto Ramos Obituary, Death News – Seven individuals who lost their lives in a devastating fireworks warehouse explosion in Esparto, California, have been officially identified by the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. The victims include:
- Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton
- Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo
- Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo
- Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento
- Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco
- Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas
- Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco
The explosion occurred on July 1 at a warehouse in Esparto, located in Yolo County. The incident triggered a massive fire, dubbed the Oakdale Fire by Cal Fire. The blaze burned roughly 80 acres, destroyed multiple structures, and prompted evacuations. Firefighters and emergency crews faced additional difficulties due to hazardous materials at the scene.
In total, seven people were killed, and two others sustained injuries, including Lt. Sam Machado of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. Machado, who lived on the property where the explosion occurred, also lost his home in the fire.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the California State Fire Marshal’s Office are leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion. It has been confirmed that BlackStar Fireworks and Devastating Pyrotechnics, both licensed at the state level, were operating at the location.
However, Yolo County officials clarified that the property was zoned for Agricultural Intensive use, which strictly prohibits the storage or handling of fireworks or other explosive materials. No local permits, licenses, or authorizations were ever granted for such activities at the site. Officials further stated that no county department, including the Yolo County Planning Commission, would have had the authority to issue such permits unless the Board of Supervisors made a formal amendment to the zoning regulations—something that never occurred.
As investigators continue their work, families of the deceased are demanding accountability and justice. They are now represented by attorney Samantha Ortiz, who is assisting them in seeking answers about how this tragedy was allowed to happen.
The deadly incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious questions about oversight, zoning enforcement, and regulatory compliance for hazardous operations. Authorities have not yet released conclusions about what triggered the explosion, and no charges or violations have been publicly announced. As the probe continues, both local residents and the families of the victims await further updates from investigators.
