In brief
A significant explosion occurred at a military explosives manufacturing plant in McEwen, Tennessee, causing residents from as far as Lobelville to feel the shockwaves. Emergency services have been dispatched to the scene, though response efforts are delayed due to subsequent explosions. Eyewitness accounts describe a loud booming sound, with some locals reporting their homes shaking. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area.
McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — A powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in rural Tennessee on Friday morning, rattling homes miles away and bringing emergency responders to the scene, authorities and residents said.
The explosion happened at Accurate Energetic Systems near Bucksnort, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The Hickman County Sheriff’s Office urged locals to avoid the area while responders worked to assess the situation.
Emergency responders were initially unable to approach the site due to ongoing explosions. 'I don’t have any details on whether anyone has been hurt,' stated Hickman County Advanced EMT David Stewart.
Footage from the scene captured a burning debris field, with smoke visible from afar. Local news outlets reported damage to vehicles and significant debris scattered across the area. Residents noted they felt the blast, with many reporting the loud explosion on their home security cameras.
Nearby residents, like Gentry Stover, described their shock: 'I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,' he said, noting that he lives very close to the manufacturing facility and quickly realized what had happened.