BARTLETT, IA – On 03/24/2026, at 12:09 hours, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an explosion at the J-Dogg Salvage facility in Bartlett, Iowa.
Upon arrival, emergency responders located one deceased employee. Investigators have determined the employee was in the process of disassembling a large commercial fuel tank at the time the explosion occurred.
The victim’s identity is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The incident was investigated by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and the Fremont County Medical Examiner’s Office, with assistance from the Iowa State Fire Marshal. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was also notified and is assisting in the investigation.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the Iowa State Patrol, Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Tabor Police Department, and the Tabor, Thurman, and Sidney Fire Departments.
