FREMONT, Neb. (KMTV) — Rescue crews are working to find three people trapped inside a Horizon Biofuels building in Fremont after a massive explosion that could take days to resolve.
- Nine departments from three counties, the Nebraska State Patrol, and specialists from Nebraska Task Force One were all there.
- Horizon Biofuels makes bedding, heating pellets, and smoking pellets.
- Law enforcement is asking neighbors to avoid the area at this time and not to cross barricades.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
A terrible explosion and a scramble to find missing people. In Fremont, crews have descended on the Horizon Biofuels building in a desperate effort to find those inside.
The smoke could be seen from miles away.
Officials tell us the response could take more than hours, but days, to locate three individuals stuck inside.
"This is a huge response. We called back all our shifts when we arrived on scene. When we arrived on scene, we had heavy smoke and a lot of flames coming out. We had a lot of structural collapse. At that point, we started initiating our mutual response," said Fremont Fire Chief Todd Bernt.
Nine departments from three counties, the Nebraska State Patrol, and specialists from Nebraska Task Force One—all there.
But the problem is—with the structural damage, responders can't get inside.
"That's what Task Force One is here to help us to gain access. What can we do to safely get in and without compromising any of the firefighters on scene," said Chief Bernt.
The building is owned by Horizon Biofuels.
According to the company’s Facebook page, it makes bedding, heating pellets, and smoking pellets.
Law enforcement is asking neighbors to avoid the area at this time and not to cross barricades.
It was so hot that firefighters had to rotate crews to keep them safe. They say this search and rescue effort will continue for as long as needed.
