Fox News national correspondent Madison Scarpino reports on an explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems explosives manufacturing plant in Tennessee that destroyed the building and resulted in several casualties and multiple missing.
Tennessee manufacturing plant explosion leaves multiple people dead, 18 missing
by Louis Casiano,Bradford Betz · Fox NewsNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Authorities said several people have died and 18 more remain unaccounted for following an explosion at a Tennessee explosives manufacturer Friday morning.
Officials said that "multiple" people were dead after a massive explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems near Bucksnort, located about 50 miles west of Nashville, just before 8 a.m. local time.
"We do have some folks, we can confirm that we do have some that are deceased," Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told reporters at a news conference.
He didn't specify the number of people who died.
"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," he added.
An official with Humphrey County Emergency Management initially said that at least 19 were missing and that multiple others have been hospitalized, according to local reports.
Later Friday, that number was reduced to 18. Authorities said one person who was initially believed to be on site was located safely at home. Investigators are still working to confirm who was at the facility and are notifying families.
Multiple agencies responded to the explosion, with more than 300 emergency personnel on scene.
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Residents in Lobelville, not far from the scene, said they felt their homes shake.
The blast rattled Gentry Stover from his sleep.
"I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it," he told The Associated Press. "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 of 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."
The company, according to its website, "is dedicated to the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of high-quality energetic products utilized in both defense and commercial markets."
Its clients include the Department of War and the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Association of the United States Army.
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The Hickman County Sheriff’s Office is asking everyone to avoid the area as emergency responders do their work. Recovery and investigative work will continue through the weekend.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.