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a devastating explosion on an explosive plant In tennesseewho claimed 16 lives and felt up to 20 miles away, it originated in a Area Officials revealed on Friday that workers were mixing explosive material in a kettle, which detonated other explosives nearby.
The explosion occurred on October 10 at Accurate Energetic Systems factory In Bucksnort, an unincorporated community about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest nashvilleThe facility was completely destroyed.
Officials confirmed that the remains of the two victims had not yet been identified.
Although the on-site investigation has been concluded, it may still take several months to determine the exact cause of the disaster, according to Bryce McCracken, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at the National Center for Explosive Training and Research.
In addition to locating the remains of the victims, work at the site included removing and disposing of explosives that did not detonate in the blast.
Jamie VanVliet, ATF special agent in charge of the Nashville Division, said the next phase focuses on ATF laboratories and testing facilities, where investigators will try to determine what caused the explosion.
“Those results don’t come quickly,” VanVleet said. “They come through time, care, and accuracy. And that’s what this community deserves: answers that are proven, not guesswork.”
Officials said between 24,000 and 28,000 pounds of explosives were detonated that day. McCracken said the explosion occurred on the first floor of the 15,000-square-foot plant near a kettle used in the production of explosive mixtures for the commercial mining industry.
The building was primarily used to make explosives called cast boosters — usually a mixture of TNT and RDX, or cyclonite, poured into cardboard tubes by hand, he said.
McCracken said the explosives were mixed in a kettle on the mezzanine level before being pumped into a heating kettle on the main floor.
“Everything is mixed upstairs and then it’s pumped downstairs, where it stays warm,” McCracken said. “And then they are able to pull it into a pitcher and then put each cast by hand into a cardboard tube.”
Explosives were also stored near a loading dock on the main floor, he said, and the cast boosters were cooled on that floor before being packed.
McCracken said that after those production kettles caused the initial explosion, investigators believe other explosive materials stored on the main floor also detonated.
During the investigation, authorities searched an area of approximately 500 acres (200 ha), much of which was covered with forest, in search of evidence.
The scene was turned back over to the company Thursday, McCracken said.
what happened in the plant
The blast, which was felt more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, left a smoldering wreckage of twisted metal and charred vehicles at the factory. Officials said there were no survivors at the blast site. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said objects of interest to the investigation were found more than half a mile away.
The company, which employs about 150 people, has a vast campus in rural central Tennessee with eight specialized production buildings and a laboratory. It extends from the Hickman and Humphreys county line in unincorporated Bucksnort, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville.
The company is headquartered in nearby McEwen, with customers in the aerospace, defense, demolition and mining industries.
According to public records, it has been awarded several military contracts, primarily by the US Army and Navy, for the supply of various types of munitions and explosives. Products range from bulk explosives to small incendiary charges including landmines and C-4.
In a statement Friday, Accurate Energetic Systems CEO Wendell Stinson said the company is “continuing to support investigators and is committed to preserving the site for a determined period” — estimating it could take “several months” — if more review is needed at the site.
The company started a fund with a local community foundation to help solicit donations for the affected families.
Case registered regarding explosion
People aged between 21 and 60 died in the blast. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has positively identified 14 of the 16 victims using rapid DNA testing.
Given the conditions at the scene, TBI Director David Roush said the hope was that they would be able to identify 40% to 50% of the victims. Still, he said his hopes of identifying every victim so far remain low. Authorities have released the names of all 16 victims.
Davis said authorities were still conducting tests to identify the final two victims. The sheriff said he could “hear it in their voices” when he spoke to their families.
“There aren’t enough words in the dictionary that we can use to describe those feelings or emotions,” Davis said.
Last week, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of Jeremy Moore’s 9-year-old daughter. Father died in the blast.
The lawsuit was filed against AAC Investments LLC, a company closely affiliated with Accurate Energetic Systems. The lawsuit claims that AAC was the owner, operator and manager of the factory and that the explosion occurred because AAC did not maintain a “reasonably safe factory” for explosives work.
Moore, 37, loved spending time with her daughter and supporting her in cheerleading, softball or any adventure she wanted to do, according to her obituary.
Lee Coleman, an attorney for Moore’s family, said the complaint could be amended and defendants added as more details become available.
A company spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit.