Dust deemed cause of Fremont (NE) plant explosion that killed 3; Horizon Biofuels officials make statement

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

Justin Diep Jul 31, 2025 Updated 15 mins ago

FREMONT, Neb. — The Tuesday explosion at a wood pellet manufacturing plant in Fremont that killed a worker and two young girls is believed to have been caused by a dust fire, the Nebraska fire marshal said Thursday.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office said in a press release that a preliminary investigation shows an accidental dust explosion occurred during the manufacturing process at the Horizon Biofuels plant, 950 S. Union St. The blast shook nearby buildings, crumbled much of the plant and sparked a fire that burned for two days.

"Additional investigation efforts are currently impeded due to the instability of the structure," the release said.

The building is still smoldering, but the scene of the explosion has stabilized, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office said Thursday afternoon.


South Union Street in Fremont remains closed Thursday around Horizon Biofuels following a deadly explosion.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD

Read more: http://archive.today/eci3M

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Original PAY link: https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_6124e97f-0f02-49a9-aa79-4c919f21cbb0.html

[Cheezoholic]

1. Terrible tragedy. We had 3 80ft tall concrete grain silo's explode in a small town near here back in the 70's

A welder ignited the grain dust. We lived 8 miles away and it broke windows in our town. Leveled 50 houses in the town the silo's were located. They were the main silo's for one of the local area farmers Co-Op (remember those "socialist" organizations?) That dust concentrated and mixed with fresh air, it's not good.

[Srkdqltr]

2. Was that explosion in the Dakota's. We were at a campground and there was a silo explosion .

In the 70's. We left in a hurry.

[Cheezoholic]

3. No but if i remember right there were several in the 70's that prompted new safety regulations n/t

[Srkdqltr]

4. Ok, what you said brought back a long ago memory. Thanks

[Omaha Steve]

6. This happened in Nebraska

[pansypoo53219]

5. i saw a little poof, then the big explosion.

[Nigrum Cattus]

7. I once did some steel work for Kleenex

where they made/folded/boxed the tissues. We had to sit
thru a 30 minute safety briefing just to enter the facility.
They had their own internal fire department in a medium
sized factory. All they kept stressing was about the fibers
in the air !

[Miguelito Loveless]

8. Calling this a bio -fuel implies it is green

it isn't since wood-pellets are burned. It is a "renewable" fuel, but not a green fuel.