Image source: Fremont Police Department
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has launched a formal investigation into the fatal explosion and fire at the Horizon Biofuels facility in Fremont, Neb., that occurred July 29. The blast fatally injured three people – a father and his two young daughters – who were in the facility at the time of the incident.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, “This horrific incident should never have happened. We want to prevent a terrible tragedy like this from occurring again.”
The Horizon Biofuels facility produces wood fuel pellets from wood waste for domestic heating and industrial use, in addition to animal bedding. According to local media reports, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office has indicated that an “accidental dust fire” at the facility led to the incident.
Also Read: Fatal Plant Explosion Under Investigation
The CSB has investigated a number of serious combustible dust incidents over the years and has issued numerous safety materials on the dangers of combustible dust, including videos, alerts, and a major hazard study.
Emily Anderson, who lives just blocks from the plant, told the Associated Press she heard “one really big boom” before police cars flooded in. “There were just huge plumes of very, very black smoke. It was scary.”
According to the Fremont Rural Volunteer Fire Department, more than 20 agencies responded to the explosion and fire.
Original post – Copyright © 2025 HazmatNation.com. Externally linked references may hold their own independent copyright not assumed by HazmatNation
