20K+ pounds of ‘high-explosives’ detonated in deadly blast at Tennessee plant, officials say

BUCKSNORT, Tenn. (WKRN) — Representatives with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives provided an update Friday morning about the deadly explosion that occurred two weeks ago at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant in Bucksnort.

On Oct. 10, an explosion was reported at the AES plant in Bucksnort. Sixteen people were unaccounted for following the blast, and officials said that 

“no survivors” were recovered.

Last week, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said authorities have been able to positively identify 14 of the victims with help from the TBI’s technology.

During Friday’s update, Davis reiterated that officials are still working to identify “two souls” that haven’t been located, adding that more testing needs to be done to complete that process.

The names and ages of the 16 people killed in the blast are:

Jason Adams, 52
Eric Anderson, 44
Billy Baker, 59
Adam Boatman, 21
Christopher Clark, 60
Mindy Clifton, 51
James Cook, 56
Reyna Gillahan, 50
Lateisha Mays, 26
Jeremy Moore, 37
Melinda Rainey, 57
Melissa Stanford, 52
Trenton Stewart, 25
Rachel Woodall, 28
Steven Wright, 53
Donald Yowell, 58

On Friday, officials said their process at the scene is complete. During their time at the scene, investigators reportedly developed an area of origin of the blast, and the next part of the investigation will include taking evidence from the scene to labs and testing facilities.

Jamie VanVliet, the Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Nashville Field Division, said results won’t come quickly, stating the community deserves answers that “are proved and not guessed.”

Additionally, Brice McKracken, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the National Center for Explosives Training and Research, said approximately 24,000 to 28,000 pounds of high-explosives detonated during the explosion on Oct. 10.

According to McKracken, the suspected area of origin took place on the first floor of building 602, which was a 15,000 square foot building primarily used to make various types of cast boosters that are used in the commercial mining industry.

“The cause of the explosion remains under investigation and will require further analysis and research regarding the chemical composition of the precursor materials and mixtures that are involved in this manufacturing process, and their decomposition levels, heat regulations and other possible causes of the explosion,” said McKracken.

Sheriff Davis concluded Friday’s update by stating he thinks investigators did the “very best that could be done” at the scene, adding that he has great confidence in the remainder of the investigation.

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