Investigators still haven’t been able to identify the remains of two of the people killed in the October 10 explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems factory in Bucksnort, an unincorporated community about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville, officials said at a news conference.
The delicate investigation at the site of the plant has concluded, but determining a cause could take months more, said Brice McCracken, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) special agent in charge at the National Center for Explosives Training and Research. In addition to locating victims’ remains, the on-site work involved removing and disposing of explosives that didn’t detonate in the blast.
The next phase centers on ATF labs and testing facilities, where investigators will try to determine what triggered the explosion, said Jamey VanVliet, ATF special agent in charge in the Nashville division.
“Those results don’t come quickly,” VanVliet said. “They come through time, care, and precision. And that’s what this community deserves: answers that are proven, not guessed.”
### The Explosion and the Site
Authorities reported that between 24,000 and 28,000 pounds of explosives detonated that day. The blast originated on the 15,000-square-foot plant’s first floor, near kettles used in the production of an explosive mixture for the commercial mining industry, McCracken explained.
The building was primarily used to make explosives known as cast boosters—typically a mixture of TNT and RDX (also called cyclonite)—which are poured by hand into cardboard tubes. Explosives were mixed in kettles on the mezzanine level before being pumped into heating kettles on the main floor.
“Everything is mixed up top and then it pumps down into the lower floor, where it stays heated,” McCracken said. “Then they’re able to pull it out in a pitcher and each cast is hand-poured into the cardboard tube.”
The main floor also stored explosives near a loading dock. Cast boosters were cooled on that floor before packaging. After the initial explosion in the production kettles, investigators believe other explosive materials stored on the main floor also detonated.
During the investigation, authorities searched an area of about 500 acres (200 hectares), much of which was dense woods, looking for evidence. The scene was turned back over to the company on Thursday, McCracken added.
### Impact and Community
The blast, which was felt more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, left a smoldering wreck of twisted metal and burned-out vehicles at the factory. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors at the blast site.
Items of interest for the investigation were found more than half a mile away, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said.
Accurate Energetic Systems employs about 150 people and operates a sprawling complex in rural central Tennessee, with eight specialized production buildings and a laboratory. The facility straddles the Hickman and Humphreys county line in unincorporated Bucksnort.
The company, headquartered in nearby McEwen, serves customers in the aerospace, defense, demolition, and mining industries. It has been awarded numerous military contracts—largely by the U.S. Army and Navy—to supply different types of munitions and explosives. Their products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C-4.
In a statement on Friday, Accurate Energetic Systems CEO Wendell Stinson said the company is “continuing to support investigators and is under obligation to preserve the site for a to-be-determined period of time,” anticipating it may be “many months” before more on-site review is complete.
The company also started a fund with a local community foundation to help solicit donations for families affected by the tragedy.
### Victims and Identification Efforts
The explosion killed people ranging in age from 21 to 60. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has positively identified 14 of the 16 victims using rapid DNA testing.
Given the severe damage at the scene, TBI Director David Rausch explained that they had initially expected to identify only 40% to 50% of the victims. While their efforts have fallen short of identifying every victim, authorities have named all 16 individuals.
Officials continue conducting tests to identify the final two victims, Sheriff Davis said. He expressed the emotional toll on the families, noting, “There’s not enough words in the dictionary that we could use to describe those feelings or emotions.”
### Lawsuit Filed Over the Explosion
Last week, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of the 9-year-old daughter of Jeremy Moore, one of the victims killed in the blast.
The lawsuit targets AAC Investments LLC, a company closely tied to Accurate Energetic Systems. It 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.
Jeremy Moore, 37, was remembered fondly by his family. According to his obituary, he cherished spending time with and supporting his daughter at cheerleading, softball, and any adventure she wanted to pursue.
Lee Coleman, an attorney representing Moore’s family, stated that the complaint could be amended as more details become available and that additional defendants might be added.
A spokesperson for Accurate Energetic Systems declined to comment on the lawsuit.
—
This tragic event has profoundly impacted the local community, and investigations continue as authorities work to uncover the cause and provide answers to those affected.
https://fortune.com/2025/10/25/fatal-blast-military-munitions-factory-tennessee-accurate-energetic-systems-explosives/
