News update
Authorities are investigating a powerful blast that tore through an explosives plant in rural Tennessee as first responders say they’ve recovered no survivors. .
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Saturday authorities have recovered no survivors at the Accurate Energetic Systems site. The number of those killed and the cause are still unclear.
“This has probably been one of the most devastating situations that I’ve been on in my career,” Davis said through tears.
Here is what to know as officials try to determine what caused the explosion:
News update ‘Slow, methodical method’
State officials brought in a “rapid DNA” team to help identify the remains of those recovered at the site, southwest of Nashville.
About 300 responders are working in a “slow, methodical method” as they deal with explosive material that has been damaged and remains volatile, the sheriff said Saturday. An ambulance and a helicopter for air evacuations are on site for the safety of first responders.
Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said experts are trying to make the area safe before national ATF investigators arrive. He said the nature of the scene can change because of the heat and pressure caused by the explosion.
It could be days, weeks or even months before foul play is ruled out, Davis said.
News update Felt miles away
The strength of the blast at Accurate Energetic Systems was felt by residents in Lobelville, which is a 20-minute drive away.
“I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,” Gentry Stover told The Associated Press by phone. “I live very close to Accurate and I realized about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.”
Davis said he expected that the investigation would go on for days to re-create what could have caused the explosion just before 8 a.m. on Friday. He cautioned that there wouldn’t be a “short term explanation.”
News update Contracts with the military
Public records show that the company sold numerous types of weapons to the U.S. military and has been awarded military contracts to manufacture a variety of munitions and explosives.
The contracts, which were awarded largely by the Army and Navy, were for a variety of products that ranged from bulk explosives and landmines to small breaching charges used to get through doors.
News update Massive operation for research
The manufacturing plant sits on 1,300 acres in Bucksnort, Tennessee, an unincorporated rural community approximately 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of Nashville. There are eight plant buildings that manufacture, store and research explosives for customers beyond just the military, including aerospace, oil and other commercial demolition industries.
The company also uses the sprawling campus to test explosives, according to its website, measuring the velocity of explosions as well as their impact on surrounding areas under varying environmental conditions.
The company’s website noted that it “rigorously adheres to the stringent security standards” of Defense Department security and safety protocols.
