Horizon Biofuels Explosion Kills Three

Horizon Biofuels, a wood waste processing plant that makes animal bedding and bagged wood pellets for domestic use in Fremont, Neb., suffered a catastrophic explosion that killed three in late July. After emergency crews battled the smoldering wreckage for over 24 hours, the remains of two young girls and a relative were recovered. Authorities believe the blast was likely a wood dust explosion in the tall elevator tower.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a news conference that the children were at the plant ahead of a doctor’s appointment, waiting for their relative to finish work. He was unsure of their exact ages but believed both were under age 12.

The top of the elevator tower was torn apart, exposing a mangled concrete-and-rebar core. Metal siding on the building below was left crumpled and charred, while wisps of white smoke drifted into the air Wednesday despite rain overnight. Spellerberg said fire crews had been evaluating whether the whole facility might collapse.

The company has 10 employees, according to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the plant is located 32 miles northwest of Omaha.

A 2014 fire at the building damaged the electrical system but left the structure intact, according to reporting by the local paper.