Dylan Danielson took his two young daughters, Hayven and Fayeah, to work with him at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont, Nebraska, on July 29, 2025. While they were there, a dust fire caused a catastrophic explosion, and the factory went up in flames. Tragically, the father and his daughters all perished during the accident. Now, their families are grappling with the pain of losing them in such a shocking way.
Before emergency crews recovered the bodies, Robby Baker, Hayven’s stepfather, told KMTV that Danielson called his wife after the explosion to tell her what happened.
“Right after the building collapsed, he was pinned inside of it. He made a phone call to his wife and said where the girls were at, get someone in there to get them out, and he was pinned in, and there was fire all around him,” Baker recalled. “Our lives are in there. We need to get them out.”
Sadly, Baker didn’t get his wish. Crews pulled the bodies of Danielson, 32, and his daughters, Hayven, 12, and Fayeah, 8, from the site on July 30.
Following the family’s deaths, the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced it would launch a formal investigation into the fatal explosion.
“This horrific incident should never have happened. We want to prevent a terrible tragedy like this from occurring again,” the board’s chairman, Steve Owens, shared in a news release.
Hayven and Fayeah’s loved ones set up separate GoFundMe accounts to support their families.
“She had such a bubbly personality and lit up every room that she entered,” Chelsey Kohl shared on Fayeah’s page. “She was a proud Swiftie, a devoted sister, a great friend, and a creative soul who loves fashion, crafts, and art. She also LOVED Stitch.”
Diane Doerneman posted a sweet dedication to Hayven on her GoFundMe site. “Hayven will always be a beautiful, goofy, caring, and bright ray of sunshine who gained her angel wings too soon,” she wrote. “Let’s show this family some love. We love you, Hayven, and we’ll meet again.”
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office shared a message of love and gratitude with the community in a news release following the horrific accident.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to the community for the overwhelming support and generosity shown during the large-scale emergency response. Your donations, kind words, and acts of kindness meant the world to our first responders, who worked tirelessly to ensure everyone’s safety. Thank you for standing with us during this critical time,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Our office would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of the victims. The family has requested privacy during this time.”
According to the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Horizon Biofuels employs 10 people.
“Horizon Biofuels, Inc. is a leading provider of premium fuel pellets in Fremont, NE. Their pellets are made from a blend of soft and hard woods, ensuring a clean and efficient burn,” according to the company website.
