HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) -- At least eighteen are unaccounted for after a deadly explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County, Tennessee Friday morning, the sheriff confirms.
Sheriff Chris Davis with Humphreys County Sheriff's Office said the "devastating blast" took place around 7:45 a.m. Friday. The sheriff originally reported 19 unaccounted for, but as of Saturday morning, the Associated Press is reporting 18 are unaccounted for.
"This is probably one of the most devastating situations that I've been on in my career," Sheriff Davis says. "...I can tell you right now that we're looking for 19 individuals, and I refer to them as more than just a person. They're a soul to me. I can tell you that we're missing 19 souls right now."
The explosion encompassed one building part of the facility, and the scene is secure. Authorities are working to figure out the cause of the explosion at this time.
Sheriff Davis says Accurate Energetic Systems is cooperating with the investigation, and there are discontinuing operations for the time being.
Social media comments say some felt the explosion in Williamson and Maury counties. Another user wrote "I'm in Bucksnort and my entire house shook. Prayers for everyone there."
Viewer Cody Warren sent video to FOX 17 News catching the sound of the explosion from Lobelville, Tennessee, across county lines.
AES is an energetics and explosives manufacturing plant. According to its website, it was established in 1980. The company's main expertise includes manufacturing and processing bulk explosives, explosives testing and characterization and producing energetic devices and demolition explosives.
This explosion comes more than a decade after a 2014 incident at the same facility where one man died and three others were critically injured.
Various agencies responded to the scene Friday, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the FBI Nashville Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security, with ATF and FBI investigating the scene. This is a joint operation with Humphreys County Sheriff's Office and Hickman County Sheriff's Office, with AES sitting on the state line.
Additionally, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has dispatched district coordinators to assist with the response efforts.
Sheriff Davis says this will be a very big investigation, and officials will be on the scene for a few days.