Two young girls tragically lost their lives in an explosion at a biofuels facility, as confirmed by their family members and friends.
In a devastating turn of events, an explosion at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, claimed the lives of three individuals: Hayven (12 years old), Fayeah (8 years old), and their father, Dylan Danielson (32).
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has left the community in deep mourning. The bodies of Hayven and Fayeah were found at the scene later that night, while Dylan Danielson's body was recovered on Wednesday.
Horizon Biofuels, a company that manufactures wood pellets and animal bedding under the name Elkhorn Valley Animal Bedding, has a capacity to produce 20,000 short tons of wood pellets, made from waste wood. The Nebraska Fire Marshal's office has completed its initial investigation, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also conducting a separate investigation.
In 2012, Horizon Biofuels was issued penalty fines by OSHA for four "serious violations," but no specific records or reports regarding OSHA fines or safety violations at the Horizon Biofuels site have been found in the current public reports. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has launched a formal investigation into the explosion and fire, but it does not issue fines or citations; it only issues safety recommendations based on its investigations.
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy investigated an air quality complaint at Horizon Biofuels earlier this year and found wood dust beyond the property line. The company, which employs 10 people, according to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership website, has expressed sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy.
The Wahoo Kids Wrestling Club and Wahoo Public Schools have expressed their sympathies and support, with the schools recognising the tragic situation and the family's loss. Fayeah was described as having a smile that could "brighten even the darkest days," while Hayven was remembered as "a bright ray of sunshine who gained her angel wings too soon."
On Wednesday afternoon, the Dodge County Board of Supervisors declared a disaster in response to the incident. As the community grapples with this loss, GoFundMe accounts have been set up for the families of Hayven and Fayeah.
[1] Nebraska Explosion: OSHA, Chemical Safety Board Investigate [2] Fremont, Nebraska, Explosion: What We Know [3] Three Dead in Nebraska Plant Explosion [4] Chemical Safety Board Launches Investigation into Nebraska Explosion
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