Three bodies have been recovered from Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont that exploded Tuesday morning.
In a Wednesday night news release the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office confirmed 32-year-old Dylan Danielson of Columbus, was killed in the explosion. His body was recovered around noon Wednesday by Nebraska Task Force One and other local agencies. The bodies of two young girls who were inside the plant have also been recovered.
Authorities have notified Danielson’s next of kin, and the names of the juveniles will not be released.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the Horizon Biofuels site to determine the circumstances that caused the explosion. Out of a sense of caution and to protect the investigation, current road closures in the immediate area will remain in place until further notice.
During a Tuesday morning news conference, Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg confirmed that Danielson and his two daughters were at the facility at the time of the blast. The children had reportedly accompanied their father to work ahead of a scheduled doctor’s appointment.
Emergency responders used heavy equipment to delayer the debris and locate the victims. Accessing the building was delicate process due to collapsed steel. Recovery crews said they were still battling a fire in the building as of Wednesday morning.
The explosion occurred just before noon Tuesday near Schneider Street and Cloverly Road. Horizon Biofuels, which operates under the name Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding, manufactures wood pellets and animal bedding from waste wood. The company employs 10 people and is one of three commercial pellet plants in the state, with a production capacity of 20,000 short tons annually.
“Our office would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of the victims. The family has requested privacy during this time,” said the the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office in a statement.