HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Casualties have been reported following an explosion Friday morning at a military explosives manufacturing plant Tennessee, officials said.
The incident reportedly took place at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant on the Hickman/Humphreys county line. According to the company’s website, it makes and tests explosives at the eight-building facility, which sprawls across wooded hills near Bucksnort, a town about 60 miles southwest of Nashville.
According to Hickman County officials, the explosion was reported at approximately 7:50 a.m.
Humphreys County EMA Director Odell Poyner later confirmed that at least 19 employees inside the building remained unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis would only confirm that several people were unaccounted for, adding that there were some casualties.
The blast reportedly encompassed an entire building that was on the facility grounds. Davis said the families of those involved remain a main priority to law enforcement.
“Right now, we’re prioritizing people that are involved, their families and trying to be very compassionate toward them,” Davis said.
Authorities are expected to be in the area for at least a few days to continue their investigation into the incident.
“We’re at the beginning stages of all of this,” added Hickman County Sheriff Jason Craft. “We’re getting information minute-by-minute and we’re going to continue to build on that and do what we need to do. Keep everyone in your prayers as we go through this the next few days.”
In addition, the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has also been called since the business involves explosives.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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