Massive Blast Levels Tennessee Explosives Plant — 19 People Missing

Smoke fills the air as debris covers the ground and vehicles after a powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in Hickman County, Tenn., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (Aerial footage by WTVF-TV)

Bucksnort, Tenn. - October 10, 2025 – A massive explosion rocked a rural Tennessee military explosives facility Friday morning, leaving 19 people unaccounted for and feared dead after the plant was obliterated in a "devastating blast" that shook homes more than 20 miles away. The incident at Accurate Energetic Systems, a 1,300-acre site on the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties specializing in manufacturing C-4, TNT, and other high explosives for the U.S. Department of Defense, prompted a massive response from local, state, and federal agencies.

The blast occurred around 7:45 a.m. CDT, just as about 75 employees were arriving for work, according to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, who fought back tears during an emotional press briefing."There's nothing to describe, it's gone," Davis said, gesturing to aerial footage showing a charred debris field, smoldering vehicles, and the factory building reduced to rubble.He referred to the missing as "19 souls," adding, "We're missing 19 souls... A lot of times, when I have these types of situations, I refer to them more than just a person."Authorities have confirmed several deaths but withheld exact figures pending family notifications.

At least four or five people were transported to nearby hospitals with minor injuries, including cuts and concussions from flying debris; two were treated and released at TriStar Health in Dickson, while a third remained under observation.Residents like Gentry Stover, who lives nearby, described being jolted awake: "I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it."

The facility, founded in 1980 and owned by Accurate Energetic Systems LLC, had ceased operations following the explosion, with the company focusing on supporting affected families.This is not the first tragedy at the site: In 2014, a similar blast during operations by a previous owner, Rio Ammunition, killed one worker and injured three others.

The cause remains under investigation, described by Davis as "slow and methodical," involving the FBI, ATF, and other federal experts who arrived on scene to probe potential secondary explosions and secure unexploded ordnance.Emergency responders, including firefighters from multiple counties, contained a post-blast fire by late morning but held back from the core debris due to lingering risks.The Hickman County Sheriff's Office urged the public to avoid the area, which was closed to traffic.

As search-and-recovery efforts continue into the evening, communities in McEwen and surrounding areas—about 60 miles southwest of Nashville—grapple with the loss. "The company is focusing on their families, their employees," Davis said, vowing full transparency as more details emerge.This developing story highlights the perils of handling volatile materials, with officials promising answers amid profound grief.