FREMONT, Neb. — The Fremont fire chief who led the response to last summer's deadly explosion at a wood pellet manufacturing plant was honored Friday as a national runner-up for a first responder of the year award.
Fremont Rural Fire Chief Carl Nielsen is recognized as one of three finalists for the National Association of Convenience Stores Foundation’s nationwide first responder of the year award during a ceremony at Sapp Bros. Travel Center in Fremont on Friday, July 24, 2026. Nielsen's wife, Becky Nielsen, nominated him for the award to recognize his innovation and dedication in response to Fremont's Horizon Biofuels explosion in July 2025.
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U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., talks with Fremont Rural Fire Chief Carl Nielsen before a ceremony recognizing Nielsen as one of three finalists for the National Association of Convenience Stores Foundation’s nationwide first responder of the year award at Sapp Bros. Travel Center in Fremont on Friday.Â
Firefighters battle a fire after an explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on July 29, 2025.
Photos: Large fire after an explosion at industrial area in Fremont
Firefrighters battle an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters from surriounding areas help to battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
A drone is seen above as firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters from surriounding areas help to battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
A drone is seen above as firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters battle a fire after an explosion after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Emergency crews work the scene of a fire in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters work the scene of a fire after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Firefrighters work the scene of a fire after a reported explosion in an industrial area in Fremont on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
A look Horizon Biofuels as firefighters continue to battle a fire after an explosion at the plant in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Emergency crews have transitioned into a recovery operation to search for a worker and two young girls, according to officials.
Firefighters continue to battle a fire after an explosion at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Emergency crews have transitioned into a recovery operation to search for a worker and two young girls, according to officials.
Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg speaks during a press conference at Fremont Rural Fire Department in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Ashley Engler, Nebraska Task Force One program manager, speaks during a press conference at Fremont Rural Fire Department in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Fremont Rural Fire Chief Carl Nielsen speaks during a press conference at Fremont Rural Fire Department in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg speaks during a press conference at Fremont Rural Fire Department in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Firefighters continue to battle a fire after an explosion at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Firefighters continue to battle a fire after an explosion at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Firefighters continue to battle a fire after an explosion at Horizon Biofuels in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Dodge County Sheriff Dustin Weitzel, left, and Sgt. Brie Frank, center right, are seen near the scene of the Horizon Biofuel explosion in Fremont on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
South Union Street in Fremont remains closed Thursday around Horizon Biofuels following a deadly explosion.
Debris remains at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Debris remains at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Debris remains at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Debris remains at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Debris remains at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The top of the tower has a bent ladder at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Smoke still eminates from the tower at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Bags of wood pellet fuel are piled up at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Smoke still eminates from the tower at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Debris remains at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
A ladder can be seen on the the top of the tower at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Debris can be seen on the the top of the tower at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The tower, left, and the wharehouse on the right, are badly damaged at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Bags of wood pellet fuel are ripped open at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Bags of wood pellet fuel are ripped open at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Looking down on the towerat the Horizon Biofuel plant, which was damaged two days before when an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont, photographed on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The tower, bottom, and the wharehouse on the top, are badly damaged at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Looking down on the towerat the Horizon Biofuel plant, which was damaged two days before when an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont, photographed on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
A ladder can be seen on the the top of the tower at the Horizon Biofuel plant two days after an explosion and fire killed three people in Fremont on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
