A teenage father-to-be was among seven killed when a Northern California fireworks warehouse erupted in a terrifying explosion during his first shift there, according to his devastated girlfriend.
Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, was killed alongside two of his brothers, Johnny Ramos and Junior Melendez, when repeated explosions devastated the building where they were working Tuesday in Yolo County near Esparto
The teen was on his first shift at the facility, working to prepare for the arrival of his first child, his pregnant girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, told the outlet.
“He saw it as a new chapter in our life,” she said through tears. “He was excited. He was a good person, he is a good person.”
All three brothers were initially listed as among seven people unaccounted for — until fire officials announced they had discovered the bodies of all seven on Sunday.
“They were all three incredible men who had so much coming for them,” Ruiz said of the brothers.
Ruiz, who quickly showed up at the blast site to demand answers, slammed local authorities and fire officials for leaving her and other family members in the dark for days after the explosion.
Fire officials acknowledged the frustration, but blamed dangerous conditions at the blast site for hampering efforts.
The blasts at the facility, which occurred just days before the Fourth of July, shook homes and sparked “numerous spot fires” that forced locals to evacuate, according to local reports.
The collective blaze sparked by the explosion, dubbed the Oakdale Fire, spread to over 78 acres before its progress was halted around 7:30 p.m., officials said.
Two people were treated for injuries, according to officials.
