(The Center Square) – Authorities are investigating a Friday morning explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, a Tennessee company that makes explosives for military, aerospace and commercial “demolition” clients.
The company is located in Bucksnort, on the Humphreys and Hickman county line, about 50 miles west of Nashville.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said people are dead and others are missing. The blast happened at around 7:45 a.m. Central Daylight Time, he said.
Davis said the blast encompassed one entire building.
“We do have the scene as secure as possible at this time,” Davis said. “We are probably going to be here a couple, few days.”
The scene is being worked as a joint investigation with Hickman County, the FBI Nashville Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Nashville Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security, Davis said in the news conference.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency sent district coordinators.
“We are actively coordinating with local, state, and federal partners to assess the situation and provide any necessary assistance,” the agency said in a social media post. “Accurate Energetic Systems has established a Family Assistance Center and TEMA stands ready to assist the impacted families.”
Accurate Energetic Systems is located on 1,300 acres and was founded in 1980, according to the company’s website.
“We specialize in the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of a diverse array of energetic products and explosives for military, aerospace, and commercial demolition markets,” the company said on its website.
