Two Children and Worker Killed in Nebraska Blast; Flames Uncontained
- A devastating explosion at Horizon Biofuels in Nebraska has claimed the lives of two children and an employee, leaving the community in mourning
- Firefighters continued battling smouldering flames nearly 24 hours after the blast, with access hindered by structural instability
- Officials suspect wood dust in the facility’s elevator may have triggered the explosion, though investigations remain ongoing
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An explosion at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont, Nebraska has claimed the lives of two young girls and one adult employee, local officials confirmed on Wednesday, nearly a day after the incident occurred.
Firefighters continued to battle persistent flames and thick smoke amidst the wreckage, with crews struggling to access unstable areas of the site.
Source: Twitter
At a press briefing, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg stated the two girls were waiting for a worker to finish his shift before a scheduled doctor’s appointment.
“My heart hurts,” Spellerberg said. “It’s a tragedy. We pray for all the families involved.” Both children were reportedly under the age of 12, though their names and exact ages have not been released.
Fire still burning after Nebraska rxplosion
The blast, which struck just after noon on Tuesday, severely damaged the facility’s tower, leaving exposed rebar and fractured concrete.
The main structure was described as crumpled and charred, raising concerns about its potential collapse. Spellerberg said structural engineers were assessing the damage.
Emergency services were met with “heavy smoke and a lot of flames,” according to Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt. Despite rainfall overnight, the fire continued to smoulder, slowing recovery efforts. Carl Nielsen of Fremont’s volunteer fire department noted the challenge of accessing key parts of the plant due to its instability, adding, “It’s going to be very slow,” and no timeline had been established for retrieving the victims’ bodies.
Wood dust suspected in Nebraska pant blast
Mayor Spellerberg and investigators suspect that wood dust in the elevator portion of the plant may have triggered the explosion. “That’s really the only thing that makes sense,” he said, while emphasising that Horizon Biofuels was cooperating “as far as I know.” The company has yet to respond to calls for comment.
The facility manufactures wood pellets used in heating and smoking food, as well as animal bedding, processing large volumes of wood waste. Bernt confirmed the plant also stored wood and alcohol-based materials. A prior fire in 2014 had impacted the electrical system but did not compromise the structure.
Community shaken by Nebraska blast
Taylor Kirklin, who lives roughly half a mile from the site, recalled the force of the blast, saying, “I got up and looked outside and there was a huge plume of smoke.”
She initially believed the explosion had occurred at her family’s dog kennel business.
The Horizon Biofuels facility is surrounded by other manufacturing and food processing plants in Fremont, a city of 27,000 located 32 miles northwest of Omaha.
The incident remains under investigation.
Source: Getty Images
FG mourns with Iran over devastating port explosion
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria has extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Iran following a catastrophic explosion at the Shahid Rajaee Port that claimed dozens of lives and injured hundreds more.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Iran’s largest commercial port near Bandar Abbas, resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people, with over 800 others reportedly injured.
Authorities also confirmed that six individuals remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.
Source: Legit.ng
