Three unaccounted for after explosion at Fremont plant
FREMONT, Neb. (KLKN) — Multiple agencies responded to an explosion Tuesday at a biofuels plant in south Fremont.
The explosion happened just before noon at Horizon Biofuels near East Cloverly Road and South Union Street.
Three people were inside at the time and are unaccounted for, authorities said.
Nine fire departments responded to fight the flames, which were still burning Tuesday night.
A trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol shared photos showing serious damage to the building.
Troopers and multiple fire and police agencies are on scene of a building fire near East Cloverly Road and South Union Street in Fremont. Law enforcement have a large radius around this area shut down so please stay away until the scene is secure. Thank you pic.twitter.com/CguKE6Rr5D
— NSP Trooper Hicken #594 (@NSP_TroopA) July 29, 2025
Authorities said it has not been safe for crews to enter the building.
“Early on, we tried to get access, but just due to the collapse and the mangled steel, we were unable to get inside,” Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt said. “And at that point, that’s when we made the call for Task Force One to come in.”
Nebraska Task Force One is solely focused on finding the missing people.
Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said the teams are trying to find a way to make it inside of the plant as soon as possible.
“We’re working with the state patrol as well as the State of Nebraska and other groups to assess the building and the structure of the building to where we can get in and see what’s there,” he said.
Randy Chamberlain, a Fremont resident, went to the scene to fly his drone over the rubble.
He said the firefighters are doing the best they can.
“They’ll get in there when they can, but we’ll hope for the best and pray for the families,” Chamberlain said.
It’s unknown what caused the explosion.
The facility makes smoking pellets, animal bedding and other products.
Bernt said firefighters will be on the scene for days as they try to extinguish the remaining flames.
This is a developing story. Check with Channel 8 for updates.
