Sheriff speaks on deadly explosion, investigation continues
HUMPHREYS COUNTY, Tenn. — We are following a tragic explosion that occurred Friday morning, leaving many in critical condition.
We visited the site at Accurate Energetic Systems in the McEwen area following a mass explosion that leaves several people injured and multiple fatalities.
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We spoke with the Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, who confirmed the fatalities, but not an exact number on how many.
There were multiple emergency personnel on scene, along with multiple law enforcement agencies, helicopters, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
They are not certain of the of the cause of the incident at this time.
Authorities say there also could be more injured individuals that they have yet to discover.
“At this time we have been able to confirm that we do have 19 souls that we’re looking for, so I ask you to keep in mind those families,” Sheriff Davis said.
ATF and FBI worked methodically to move through the location of the explosion.
At this time, it’s not clear if this incident was intentional or an accident.
“We have communicated with the family, we’ve done it twice,” Sheriff Davis said. “We wanted to get solid information, because we were sliding a little bit in information that we were receiving from past experience with the flood and those kinds of things. We wanted to make sure we had the correct information that we needed to talk with.”
Right now authorities tell us at least five individuals were taken by ambulance.
“This is not going to be something that we’re going to close up tonight,” Sheriff Davis said. “We’ll probably be here three, four, or five days from now. It wouldn’t surprise me if we’re here until next week.”
Management with Accurate Energetic Systems also remains on scene to help navigate the next steps for families and employees.
Stay with us on air and online as we continue to follow this story.
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