At least 19 people are unaccounted, with some feared dead, after a “massive” blast rocked a military explosives plant in Tennessee on Friday, officials said.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis did not say how many people were killed but called the 19 missing people “souls” as he became emotional during a press briefing hours after the explosion leveled an Accurate Energetic Systems facility in McEwen just before 8 a.m.
The sheriff said it was one of the most devastating scenes he’s ever seen. When asked to describe the building, he responded, “There's nothing to describe. It's gone."
The cause of the blast was not immediately known, and the investigation could take days, the sheriff said.
Aerial footage of the aftermath by WTVF-TV showed the smoldering wreckage left behind. Emergency crews were initially unable to enter the plant because of continuing detonations, Hickman County Advanced EMT David Stewart said. But as of Friday afternoon, there was no further danger of explosions, and the scene was under control.
Accurate Energetic Systems, which makes and tests explosives at an eight-building facility about 60 miles southwest of Nashville, has paused all operations at the facility.
Key Points
- ‘Multiple people’ dead after explosion at Tennessee plant
- Emergency crews urge public to avoid area
- Residents hear blast from miles away
Police unsure about cause of plant explosion amid ongoing investigation
00:10 , Rachel DobkinAuthorities are unsure about the cause of a blast at a Tennessee explosives plant Friday as the investigation is planned to go on throughout the night.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said at a Friday evening press conference, “We don’t know what caused the explosion.”
He said the search of the property and investigation will be continuing through the night.
In pictures: Multi-agency response to Tennessee plant explosion
00:05 , Rachel DobkinMultiple law enforcement agencies were seen responding to a blast at a Tennessee explosives plant Friday.
Here are some pictures:
Tennessee emergency officials establish a missing persons hotline
00:01 , Rachel DobkinTennessee emergency officials have established a missing persons hotline following a massive blast at an explosives plant near McEwen Friday.
“The TBI [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation] Missing Persons hotline has been established. (1-800-TBI-FIND/1-800-824-3463),” the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a report.
Sheriff talks about close-knit community full of 'love'
23:50 , Rachel DobkinHumphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis talked about a close-knit community full of “love” that was shaken by the blast at an explosives plant Friday.
“There’s three families involved in this that I’m very close to, “ Davis said.
He said Humphreys County and neighboring Hickman County are “small counties, and when you have small counties like this, we know each other...we love each other.”
The destroyed Accurate Energetic Systems plant is located on the Hickman-Humphreys County line.
Three people treated for explosion injuries: report
23:41 , Rachel DobkinTriStar Health’s medical system treated three walk-ins Friday for minor injuries related to the blast at an explosives plant in Tennessee, hospital spokeswoman Casey Stapp told The New York Times.
One person is still receiving treatment, and the other two have been released.
Watch: Massive Tennessee plant blast kills ‘multiple people’ as emergency crews respond
23:30 , Rachel DobkinSheriff says explosion probe is 'slow' and 'methodical'
23:07 , Rachel DobkinHumphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Friday evening the investigation into the blast at an explosives plant earlier in the day was “slow.”
“We want to be very methodical in what we are doing and take time to put our best foot forward for our families,” he said.
At least 19 people are unaccounted, with some feared dead.
'Massive' explosion left half-mile of debris: sheriff
23:04 , Rachel DobkinHumphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Friday evening a “massive” blast at an explosives plant earlier in the day left a “half-mile square” of debris, with some of the wreckage found off-site.
Police calls the Tennessee plant explosion and the aftermath 'hell'
22:57 , Rachel DobkinHumphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis has called the blast at a Tennessee explosives plant Friday and the immediate aftermath “hell.”
Congressmen ask for prayers for victims of Tennessee plant explosion
22:45 , Rachel DobkinCongressmen have asked for prayers for the victims of a blast at an explosives plant in Tennessee on Friday.
Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) wrote on X: “Say a prayer for these folks and their families.”
Say a prayer for these folks and their families. https://t.co/mYdGeOa0DU
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) October 10, 2025
Representative John Rose (R-TN) wrote: “This is tragic. Chelsea and I are praying for these families. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.”
This is tragic.
— Congressman John Rose (@RepJohnRose) October 10, 2025
Chelsea and I are praying for these families. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers. https://t.co/ayX39UJ2lo
Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) wrote: “My heart is heavy after the plant explosion in Hickman County today. Please join me in praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by this tragedy.”
My heart is heavy after the plant explosion in Hickman County today. Please join me in praying for the victims, their families, and the entire community affected by this tragedy.
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) October 10, 2025
Representative Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) wrote: “Please join Amy and I in praying for the employees and the families and friends of those at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant in Hickman County. Please also pray for all of the first responders on the scene.”
Please join Amy and I in praying for the employees and the families and friends of those at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant in Hickman County. Please also pray for all of the first responders on the scene. https://t.co/Smof2Wk6Jp
— Scott DesJarlais (@DesJarlaisTN04) October 10, 2025
Local TV station detected Tennessee plant explosion on their weather radar
22:31 , Rachel DobkinThe blast at a Tennessee explosives plant on Friday was so severe that local television station WSMV said it detected it on its weather radar.
Boyfriend asks for prayers for missing girlfriend after Tennessee plant explosion
22:13 , Rachel DobkinNathan Birchard has asked for prayers for his girlfriend, Rachel Woodall, who went missing after the explosion at a Tennessee explosives plant Friday.
“I don't get on here and say much at all, but please pray for my girlfriend Rachel Woodall and her family. There was a explosion at her work and noone has heard from her besides me at 6am this morning. Much Love,” he wrote on Facebook.
In pictures: Tennessee plant explosion
22:03 , Rachel Dobkin
Tennessee governor says he's 'monitoring' plant explosion
21:50 , Rachel Dobkin“We are monitoring the ongoing situation in Hickman County & state agencies are responding in partnership with local & federal agencies,” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said Friday afternoon. “We ask Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident.”
We are monitoring the ongoing situation in Hickman County & state agencies are responding in partnership with local & federal agencies. We ask Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) October 10, 2025
No immediate answers about Tennessee blast
20:46 , Andrea CavallierSheriff Davis said the cause of the blast is unknown at this time and that crews may be at the scene for days.
“Do I see a short-term explanation? No,” he said.
He confirmed the site is secure at this time.
Another update is expected around 5 p.m. CT.
Company pauses all operations after blast
20:42 , Andrea CavallierAccurate Energetic Systems has paused all operations, the sheriff said following the explosion on Friday.
He said the company will focus on supporting its employees and their families.
‘There’s nothing to describe, it’s gone’: sheriff
20:40 , Andrea CavallierHumphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis became emotional as he said authorities are actively searching for 19 missing people after the explosion.
He told reporters the scene was “one of the most devastating” he has seen.
The sheriff would not put a number on fatalities, but confirmed that four to five individuals were airlifted to a nearby hospital.
He said that 19 others remain unaccounted for.
“I refer to them more than just a person… we’re missing 19 souls,” he said, declining to confirm the number of fatalities.
What to know about the deadly explosion in 2014
20:30 , Andrea CavallierIn 2014, a deadly explosion occurred at the Rio Ammunition facility in McEwen, Tennessee, Mayor Jim Bates mentioned on CNN.
The blast was determined to be accidental, according to a preliminary investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Response Team, per The Tennessean.
It happened during cartridge loading operations at the plant, which was operated by explosives manufacturer Maxam and located on property owned by Accurate Energetic Systems, the outlet reported.
Local officials to deliver update on Tennessee explosion
20:26 , Andrea CavallierLocal officials are expected to give an update on the explosion at the military explosives plant in Tennessee.
The briefing is set to happen shortly.
Company uses its sprawling campus to test explosives
19:48 , Andrea CavallierAccurate Energetic Systems 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 different conditions.
The website noted that it "rigorously adheres to the stringent security standards" of defense department security and safety protocols.
Officials at the Pentagon said that they were aware of the reports and were looking into the situation.
Public records show that the company has been awarded numerous military contracts going back years to manufacture different types of munitions and explosives.
The contracts, which were awarded largely by the U.S. Army and Navy, were for a variety of products that ranged from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges.
Exclusive: Woman hears blast 50 miles away
19:01 , Andrea CavallierMelody Roberts, 74, who live in Franklin, Tennessee, “at least 50 miles away” from the plant, told The Independent's Justin Rohrlich that she heard the explosion
“I was sitting on my sun porch having a cup of coffee, it was about a quarter to 8,” Roberts said.
“I was out there and it sounded like a bad wreck up on the main road – I live just off the main road – and I thought, ‘Oh my God, somebody must have hit something up there.’ I mean, it shook my house. I kept waiting for sirens, but I didn’t hear anything, and it was probably 40 minutes later that I heard about the explosion. There’s nothing left. It’s gone. It’s just gone."
Investigation likely to take several days, sheriff says
18:53 , Andrea Cavallier“We got a very big investigation,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a press briefing.
“This is not going to be something that we're going to be like a car wreck or something like that, that we're just going to clean up the debris and leave. We're going to probably be here for a few days.”
Video: Wreckage of Tennessee plant after blast
18:18 , Andrea CavallierWe are closely monitoring the explosion reported in Hickman County this morning and praying for those who are still missing.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) October 10, 2025
Thank you to the first responders on the scene.
Residents feel blast from miles away
18:11 , Andrea CavallierResidents in Lobelville, which is about a 20-minute drive from the scene of the explosion, said they felt their homes shake, the Associated Press reported.
The blast rattled Gentry Stover from his sleep.
“I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,” he said 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.”
State Rep. Jody Barrett, a Republican from the neighboring town Dickson, was worried about the possible economic impact because the plant is a key employer in the area.
“We live probably 15 miles as the crow flies and we absolutely heard it at the house,” Barrett said. “It sounded like something going through the roof of our house.”
‘Multiple people’ dead after explosion at Tennessee plant
18:01 , Andrea CavallierMultiple people are dead and more are missing following a blast at an explosives manufacturing plant in Tennessee, law enforcement officials have said.
At least 19 were initially reported missing and multiple others were hospitalized, according to Humphrey County Emergency Management officials.
Read more:
‘Multiple people’ dead and more missing after explosion at Tennessee plant
Photos: Massive blast at military explosives company
17:59 , Andrea Cavallier
What is Accurate Energetic Systems?
17:56 , Andrea CavallierAccurate Energetic Systems, which is located about an hour southwest of Nashville, Tennessee, was founded in 1980, and is “dedicated to the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of high-quality energetic products utilized in both defense and commercial markets.”
The company specializes in making military explosives, according to the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office.
(October 10, 2025 | 11:45 a.m. CT) The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is supporting local officials in Hickman and Humphreys counties with the response of the explosion that occurred this morning at Accurate Energetic Systems in the Bucksnort area of Hickman County.…
— Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) (@TennesseeEMA) October 10, 2025
Multiple people are dead in explosion, officials say
17:46 , Andrea CavallierThe blast happened at Accurate Energetic Systems near Bucksnort just before 8 a.m. Friday morning.
“We do have some folks, we can confirm that we do have some that are deceased,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said at a news conference on Friday.
Follow along for more updates.
