Federal Authorities Rule Out Natural Causes in Saturday’s Explosion
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HARDEMAN COUNTY, Tenn. — The ATF has ruled out natural causes, meaning weather, electrical or gas issues, and are now moving on to determine what sparked the explosion. Michael Knight with the Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, known as the ATF, explain they have made progress and feel they will have more answers by Tuesday. Less than 72 hours after the explosion that rocked Toone, federal authorities were able to provide some answers. “Natural causes have been eliminated. Now we’re looking at specific causes that may have been an issue in the incident,” Knight said. For a second day, members of the ATF’s national response team, comprised of chemists, engineers, and bomb technicians, combed through the Kilgore plant, also known as Chemring. Their goal is to examine every part of the facility to get a better idea of exactly what happened. “When they process the scene and as the results come in, they are documenting the scene in itself. They’re not looking to place any blame on an individual or company or process,” Knight explained. Knight said their first priority is to ensure the site is safe for everyone. “One of the items we are always concerned by is public safety. Not only the safety of the employees and the integrity of the company but also the general public,” he said. Knight said he is confident the public will get answers. “We train in this collaborative effort, we are working this case. It is very systematic, progress is going very well, it’s very methodical,” Knight said. He said the response team hopes to have the cause determined by Tuesday. The ATF said if you have any information that could help in their investigation, contact the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Department at (731) 658-9005.
