Two Young Girls Among Those Killed In Biofuel Plant Explosion

An explosion at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, resulted in the tragic deaths of two young girls and one adult. The incident occurred on Tuesday (July 29) around noon, causing significant damage to the facility. According to Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg, the two children, both under the age of 12, were waiting for the adult employee to finish work so they could attend a doctor's appointment. The names of the victims have not been released.

The explosion tore through the plant's tall tower, leaving behind mangled metal and debris, and shaking nearby homes. Firefighters have been battling heavy smoke and flames, which hindered efforts to search for the missing individuals. Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt stated that the facility, which produces animal bedding and wood pellets, stores wood and alcohol-based materials, which may have contributed to the fire's intensity.

Mayor Spellerberg suggested that wood dust in the elevator portion of the plant might have caused the blast. The Horizon Biofuels company is cooperating with the investigation. The plant had previously experienced a fire in 2014, which damaged its electrical system but left the structure intact.

The small city of Fremont, with a population of about 27,000, is located 32 miles northwest of Omaha. As the investigation continues, authorities have not provided a timeline for when the bodies will be recovered. The community mourns the loss of the victims, with Mayor Spellerberg expressing, "My heart hurts. It's a tragedy. We pray for every person involved."