In the moments after explosions at a Northern California fireworks warehouse shook the Yolo County town of Esparto, a nearby resident rushed toward falling flames and live fireworks in the hopes that he could help.
Alberto Vega had the right tools, was in the right place, and at the right time. He saw an opportunity to help when the water and power went out during Tuesday’s fires, but he had no idea that he would be the first person to see this terrible event.
When Vega was driving his water truck, he was in the middle of chaos and destruction that he had never seen before.
“It looked like fireballs coming down to the ground,” said he. “Next thing you know, a fire popping up here, a fire popping up there.”
Vega began shooting while spraying water on fires that were quickly spreading through farmland and brush.
“It happened so fast, the flames were just… it seemed like they were nine, 10 feet tall,” said he.
A new fire would start as soon as the old one went out. So Vega had to go down the road to the neighborhood pool to fill up. After adding a few thousand more gallons, he would start over, this time with the heat getting worse.
“There’s no time to really waste,” said he. “I thought it was the precise spot and time.” Whichever I could, I did.
Even though he was praying, the fire was coming up behind him. Then Vega said, “I heard screams.”
“As crazy as it sounds, with the explosions going off and whatnot, I know that I heard yelling,” said he. “Just not being able to see people, not being able to get to them, that’s where it weighs on me.”
Seven people have not been found as of Thursday night, more than 48 hours after the first blast. Law enforcement hasn’t given out many details, but agents were finally able to get into the property, even though they thought it was too dangerous the night before.
People who are missing include three brothers, whose names have been given as Jesus Ramos (8 years old), Johnny Ramos (22 years old), and Junior Melendez (28 years old). The family of a fourth person said his name was Carlos Rodriguez. The other three people have not been named. Police haven’t confirmed that the seven people are who they say they are.
Before the blasts, Vega said he didn’t even know the fireworks factory was there, and what he heard has stuck with him ever since.
“It made my stomach sink to the bottom of my feet,” as he said. “I know that somebody who is going through a situation like that and screams at the top of their lungs, you’re going to hear it.”
Even though he was scared, Vega focused as he drained the gas tank in his truck and drove off, not worrying about his own safety but about the people he could hear yelling.
“There’s somebody’s pride and joy in there, somebody’s relatives in there, husband in there,” said he.
