Federal agency provides update in fatal explosion at Fremont plant

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board provided an update Wednesday in its investigation of a fatal explosion at a plant in Fremont.

The agency’s investigation plans to examine “the operations and conditions at the Horizon Biofuels facility, as well dust control systems, industry guidance for safe dust operation, and regulatory oversight.”

“This terrible tragedy should not have happened,” CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said in a news release. “Preliminary evidence points to a combustible wood dust explosion, a well-known – and completely avoidable — hazard in wood processing.”

The agency noted that a combustible dust explosion can occur when conditions align at a facility, like “dust accumulation, dispersion, and ignition within a confined space.”

This can cause a powerful secondary explosion, like the one at Horizon Biofuels, federal officials said.

In the report, the board said the “incident” occurred shortly before noon on July 29 after a “a sudden release of dust or smoke from the tower, quickly followed by flames and a much-larger, major blast that caused significant structural damage.”

The day shift operator, 32-year-old Dylan Danielson, died after being trapped inside the collapsed structure.

Officials said his two daughters, who were in the break room, were also killed in the explosion.

“The Board is committed to a thorough, independent investigation,” CSB Board Member Sylvia Johnson said. “We owe it to the victims, their families, and the broader community to identify the root causes and share important safety lessons.”

The agency is continuing to gather facts and analyze “several key areas,” including regulatory analysis and events and conditions at the facility prior to the incident.

Officials noted the Horizon Biofuels facility remains unsafe, and people are asked to maintain a “safe distance” from the facility.