Officials confirmed on Wednesday that three people, a man and two children, were killed in after a catastrophic explosion at a Nebraska biofuels plant.
Fremont fire crews responded to calls of the explosion, which occurred midday Tuesday at Horizon Biofuels, a manufacturer of fuel pellets and animal bedding located in Fremont, Neb. at 950 S. Union St., about 50 miles northwest of Omaha, at 11:56 a.m. CDT.
Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt said at a news conference that in the immediate aftermath, three people remained missing as initial rescue efforts were stymied by the fire and structure concerns. “We are unable to gain access early on,” Bernt said. “We tried to get access, but just due to the collapse with the mangled steel, we’re unable to get inside.”
Pictures of the building posted online by Nebraska State Trooper Tom Hicken show the building sustained significant damage, with the top floors appearing to have been completely destroyed.
It was later confirmed that the missing individuals, identified as two girls under the age of 12 as well as an adult man, were dead, per The Associated Press. The man was an employee, who was in building with two girls both believed to be under the age of 12 when the explosion occurred. Their names are not being released at this time.
Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said during a press conference: “The two children were there just waiting for him to get off to go to a doctor’s appointment .. My heart hurts. It hurts for this situation, which is a tragedy. We pray for all the families involved.”
Nebraska Task Force One program manager Ashley Engler said during Wednesday’s briefing that crews continued to battle an active fire on Wednesday, as well as assess how to safely access the building to recover the victims. The steel warehouse is becoming more unstable as the fire continues to burn, she added, stating: “We are using all search and rescue resources and capabilities we have, including structural engineers, to obtain access in a safe manner to get to these to these victims.”
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement: “We will continue to closely monitor the explosion in Fremont in coordination with local responders, law enforcement, and state partners. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved — and we’re ready to help any way we can.”
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