What happened in Bucksnort, Tennessee? Inside the deadly explosion that left 19 missing at an explosives factory

A powerful explosion ripped through an explosives manufacturing facility in rural Tennessee on Friday morning, leaving at least 19 people dead or unaccounted for and leveling much of the site, according to authorities.

The blast occurred around 7:45 a.m. at Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC, a company that produces explosives for military and industrial use. The facility sits on the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties, not far from Bucksnort, a small community located about an hour southwest of Nashville.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the aftermath of the explosion as “the most devastating scene I’ve seen in my career.” Speaking at a Friday afternoon press briefing, Davis confirmed that 19 workers remain missing and said several fatalities are expected, though officials have not released an official death toll.

“I can tell you we’re missing 19 souls,” Davis said somberly. “There’s nothing left of the building. It’s completely gone.”

The blast was so intense that it shook homes several miles away and triggered a series of smaller explosions throughout the site. Residents in nearby towns reported feeling shockwaves strong enough to rattle windows and knock items from shelves.

Local resident Gentry Stover, who lives close to the plant, said he was jolted awake by the explosion. “I thought the roof had come down on me,” he told reporters. “The whole house shook, and within seconds, I knew it had to be something at Accurate.”

Another resident, Cody Warren, said he heard the boom from Lobelville, nearly 20 miles away. “It sounded like a thunderclap right outside my window,” he said. “I thought lightning had struck the house.”

Emergency crews from across Tennessee descended on the scene, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, federal agents, and local fire departments from surrounding counties. Authorities said securing the area took several hours due to the risk of secondary explosions.

Three people sustained minor injuries and were treated at TriStar Health facilities in nearby Dickson. Two have since been released, while one remains under observation.

Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates said the company employs roughly 80 people but it remains unclear how many were inside at the time of the blast. One structure on the company’s large campus—estimated to span over 1,300 acres—was “completely wiped out.”

“This is a devastating day for our community,” Bates said. “It’s going to take days, maybe weeks, to determine exactly what caused this and how many lives were lost.”

Accurate Energetic Systems is known for manufacturing military-grade and demolition explosives. According to its website, the company produces “various high explosive compositions and specialty products for the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. industrial markets.”

Just last month, the Department of Defense awarded the firm a nearly $120 million contract to supply TNT, highlighting the company’s central role in the defense supply chain.

Tennessee State Senator Kerry Roberts described the facility as a “well-loved employer” that has long supported local families. “This company has been part of the fabric of our community,” Roberts said. “Many of their workers are people we see at local events, at church, and around town. This tragedy is going to affect everyone here.”

Law enforcement officials have urged the public to stay away from the site as investigators from state and federal agencies comb through the wreckage. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Sheriff Davis said the investigation could take weeks given the scale of the destruction. “All we can do right now is pray for the families,” he said. “We’re working to bring answers, but this is unlike anything we’ve seen before.”

FAQs Section

Q1: Where did the Tennessee explosion happen?
The explosion occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, an explosives manufacturing facility near Bucksnort, on the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties.

Q2: How many people were killed or missing after the explosion?
Authorities have confirmed that 19 people are either dead or missing following the blast.

Q3: What does Accurate Energetic Systems produce?
The company manufactures military and demolition explosives, including TNT and specialty products for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Q4: What caused the explosion in Tennessee?
The exact cause is still under investigation, but officials say the blast completely destroyed one building at the site.

Q5: Was anyone injured in the Tennessee explosion?
Three people sustained minor injuries and were treated at TriStar medical facilities in Dickson, Tennessee.

Q6: How close is the explosion site to Bucksnort, TN?
The facility is just outside Bucksnort, about an hour southwest of Nashville, Tennessee.

Q7: What has the government said about the blast?
Local and federal authorities are investigating. Sheriff Chris Davis described the scene as “the most devastating” in his career.