BARTLETT, IA — The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, today (Monday) formally released the identity of the individual who lost his life in an industrial accident on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The victim has been identified as 66-year-old Blaine N. Schoening, of Council Bluffs.
As we’ve reported, at around 12:10-p.m. Tuesday, March 24th, emergency personnel responded to a report of an explosion at J-Dogg Salvage Yard, located at 2050 Waubonsie Avenue in Bartlett. Upon arrival, units confirmed that Mr. Schoening had sustained fatal injuries while performing salvage operations involving a fuel tank. No other injuries were reported at the scene.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office continues to work in coordination with the Iowa State Fire Marshal and Iowa OSHA to finalize the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Mr. Schoening during this difficult time.
