Overview: What We Know So Far
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, near noon, a devastating explosion ripped through the Horizon Biofuels facility in Fremont, Nebraska. The plant processed wood waste into animal bedding and wood pellets. The explosion shredded the top of the plant’s tall concrete/steel elevator tower, destroying concrete, rebar, and collapsed lightweight steel framing. Local residents described feeling nearby homes shake violently. One woman said she initially thought a car had crashed into a building, seeing a massive plume of smoke afterward.
As of July 30, more than 24 hours after the blast, firefighters were still battling active flames and smoke. Recovery efforts are extremely hazardous due to structural instability and intense fire.
Tragic Deaths of Two Young Girls and Their Father
Officials have confirmed the explosion led to the deaths of two girls under age 12, who were waiting for their father—a plant employee—and the father himself.
Wood Dust Buildup Suspected in Blast
Authorities strongly suspect that wood dust accumulation in the elevator section of the plant was the most likely ignition source, possibly exacerbated by alcohol-based materials stored on-site. That dust may have ignited and caused the powerful blast.
The plant had experienced a fire in 2014, which damaged the facility’s electrical system but did not compromise the structure. There are also some historical records of OSHA violations dating back to 2012, including serious findings for failing to maintain an energy control program and chemical safety measures. Horizon settled for a $6,000 fine at that time.
Pritzker Hageman: Advocating for Families Nationwide Who’ve Lost Their Loved Ones in Explosions
At Pritzker Hageman, our explosion injuries legal team, led by Eric Hageman, is nationally recognized for representing clients in complex explosion and burn litigation. We’ve achieved $100’s of millions in recoveries, including $45 million for a pipeline blast settlement.
We represent families whose lives have been forever changed by fires and explosions in some of the most complex high-stakes cases in the country. We fight to uncover the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and drive meaningful safety reforms—so that no one else has to suffer the way our clients have.
With everything else you’re coping with, you need clear answers. We’ll be here to guide you, protect your rights, and help you move forward.
Our legal approach includes:
- Our Bench of Forensic Experts: We have a deep bench of forensic engineers and investigators we partner with to secure the scene and analyze causes before evidence disappears.
- Root‑cause expertise: We work with dust‑explosion and industrial safety specialists to determine whether negligence —such as insufficient dust control, equipment maintenance, or ignition-source management—contributed to the blast.
- Accountability & liability: Legal claims may be pursued not only against the company’s operators but also third parties—maintenance contractors, equipment suppliers, engineers—whose actions might have caused or failed to prevent the disaster.
The tragedy here goes beyond mechanical failure—it may expose operational negligence affecting multiple parties, making sound legal representation critical.
How Can Our Lawyers Help You?
1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | attorneys@pritzerlaw.com
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
We obtained this settlement for a man who lost his arm and leg in a gas pipeline explosion.
Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury and burn injuries over 60% of his body in an explosion caused by improperly-odorized propane.
Our client suffered burn injuries over 50% of her body when a compressed natural gas line ruptured in a factory, causing an explosion.
See more settlements & verdicts.
The Pritzker Hageman law firm and our attorneys have been recognized in:
U.S. News & World Report
Pritzker Hageman has been recognized as one of the best law firms for personal injury litigation by U.S. News & World Report every year the award has been given since 2012.
Super Lawyers®, Thomson Reuters
Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have been awarded the peer selected Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2004.
America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.
Three Time Attorneys of the Year
Pritzker Hageman lawyers have been named Attorneys Of The Year by Minnesota Lawyer three times.