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A powerful explosion ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in Middle Tennessee on Friday morning, leaving several people dead and more than a dozen missing. The blast occurred at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility, located in the Bucksnort area of Hickman County, about an hour southwest of Nashville.

The blast reported just before 8 a.m. local time produced a towering plume of smoke, scattered debris and a scene of devastation at the Bucksnort/McEwen facility. Residents reported feeling tremors and hearing multiple booms; door-bell and security cameras in nearby towns captured the moment the shockwave hit. Authorities said at least one person is confirmed dead and multiple others have been hospitalized, while dozens remain missing as search and rescue continues.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed during a news briefing that “some fatalities” had been recorded, though he did not release an exact number. “We do have some folks; we can confirm that we do have some that are deceased,” Davis said. “Right now, our focus is on locating the missing and supporting our first responders.” Officials with the Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency said at least 19 people are unaccounted for, and several others have been transported to nearby hospitals with injuries.

Residents Felt Blast Miles Away

Doorbell camera footage captured by a resident in Lobelville, nearly 20 miles from the site, appeared to show the moment the explosion occurred. “I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,” Gentry Stover, a resident, said to local media. “I live very close to Accurate, and within seconds I knew something terrible had happened,” he added. Aerial footage captured by the local media outlets has since gone viral on social media. 

Authorities have cordoned off the area, warning residents to stay away due to the risk of secondary explosions. Hickman County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that emergency services are “actively addressing the situation” and urged people to avoid the Bucksnort area. David Stewart of Hickman County Emergency Services said responders are proceeding with extreme caution. “We’re still assessing the extent of the damage and injuries. The situation remains dangerous because of potential unexploded materials,” he told reporters.

Company Background

Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC, is a well-known defense contractor that manufactures high-grade explosives and specialty energetic materials for the U.S. Department of Defense and various industrial sectors, including mining, oil, and construction. The company’s website lists products ranging from demolition charges to military-grade explosives used in training and defense applications. The facility sits on the county line between Hickman and Humphreys counties and employs several dozen workers.

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Federal investigators, including officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), are expected to join local agencies in probing the cause of the explosion. As of Friday afternoon, authorities had not released the names of the deceased or missing workers. Families of employees have been gathering near the site, awaiting updates.

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Governor Bill Lee’s office said it is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with local emergency agencies. “Our hearts are with the families affected by this terrible tragedy,” the governor said in a statement. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.