Dad-to-Be Working His First Shift at Fireworks Factory Was Killed in Huge Blast Alongside His Brothers

The family of Jesus Ramos, one of the seven victims following last week’s explosion at a fireworks facility in California, is remembering their loved one as a father-to-be who was on his first day at the job. 

“He saw it as a new chapter in our life,” Syanna Ruiz, Jesus’ girlfriend, told ABC affiliate KGTV.  “He was excited. He was a good person, he is a good person.”

Jesus, 18, was working with his brothers, Johnny Ramos and Junior Melendez, at the fireworks facility when the explosion occurred in Esparto, Calif., on July 1, KGTV reported. At the time, the three brothers along with four other people were unaccounted for.  

The county of Yolo said on Sunday, July 6, announcing that the bodies of the seven missing were recovered from the scene. 

“In accordance with standard procedure and out of respect for the families, the identities of the deceased will be withheld until formal identification is completed and next of kin have been notified,” the county said. “The Coroner’s Office continues to communicate directly with the families and will provide further updates as appropriate.”

But five of the seven victims have been identified through their family members and shared with KGTV: Jesus Ramos; Johnny Ramos; Joel “Junior” Melendez Jr.; Angel Voller; and Carlos Rodriguez..

Ruiz paid tribute to her boyfriend Jesus and his two brothers before the announcement of the recovery of the bodies. 

“They were all three incredible men who had so much coming for them,” she said, KGTV reported. “And I’m just praying to God that some way, somehow that they’re OK.”

Marisol Ramos, the mother of the brothers, had earlier pleaded with fire officials to let her help in the search for her loved ones.

She recently told Today on July 4 that she has not heard from her three sons since the explosion. Authorities said at the time they could not move forward with the search until the scene was safe due to the potential dangers.

Marisol, who immediately went over to the facility on the evening of the disaster, told Today that she hasn’t received any answers since the incident. 

“Let us do it,” the tearful mom said. “I’m willing to go in … I want to search for my kids.”

Both Jesus and Syanna were expecting a child.

“Five days ago,” Jhony Ramos, Jesus’ father, recalled, according to KGTV, “Jesus told me… I got a notice for you and take a seat… he told me you’re going to be a grandfather.”

The family also told the outlet it was Jesus’ first day at the fireworks facility and that he was already 10 hours into his shift when the fire broke out. 

“They are hard workers,” Jhony Ramos said of his sons. ”Good kids.”

A GoFundMe has been established for the Ramos family with the funds to bel used for “funeral and memorial costs as well as to support the family during ongoing investigations into this tragedy.”

At a press conference on Monday, July 7, Yolo County Undersheriff Matthew Davis said that the DNA process will be underway to obtain official identification of the seven deceased whose remains were recovered, with that information to be expected in the next 48 hours.

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“I want to assure you that the response to this incident by local, state and federal public safety professionals has been overwhelming,” Davis said in response to the public’s desire to seek answers. “It’s been appreciated and it’s been professionally carried out. We want to make sure that we’re operating only in facts and we want to make sure we obtain those facts.”

Davis added that the state fire marshal is leading the investigation.

PEOPLE contacted the organizer of the Ramos GoFundMe on Tuesday, July 8.