by Christine Fernando, Associated Press
FREMONT, Neb. — Two girls were waiting for a relative to finish work at a Nebraska biofuel plant when all three were killed in a massive explosion that shook the town, officials said Wednesday. The fire was still smoldering more than a day later and crews say they can’t safely enter the building’s unstable wreckage to recover the remains.
Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg said at a news conference that the children were at the Horizon Biofuels plant ahead of a doctor’s appointment, and although he wasn’t sure of their exact ages, he believed both were under age 12. Dodge County Sheriff Sgt. Brie Frank later confirmed the three were family.
The plant makes animal bedding and wood pellets for heating and smoking food, using tons of wood waste. Spellerberg said authorities believe Tuesday’s blast was likely a wood dust explosion in the tall elevator tower.
“That’s really the only thing that makes sense,” Spellerberg said. He said Horizon Biofuels is cooperating “as far as I know.”
The company did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.
The top of the elevator tower was torn apart, exposing a mangled concrete-and-rebar core. Metal siding on the building below was left crumpled and charred, while wisps of white smoke drifted into the air Wednesday despite rain overnight.
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