16 people died in a blast at a Tennessee explosives factory early Friday, sheriff says
toggle caption Obed Lamy/AP
McEWEN, Tenn. — A blast in rural Tennessee that leveled an explosives plant and was felt for miles around killed 16 people and left no survivors, authorities said.
The explosion left a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metal and burned-out vehicles at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, which supplies and researches explosives for the military.
The cause of the blast is not known. Investigators are combing the incinerated property foot-by-foot searching for possible evidence.
"There's a gauntlet of emotions there," Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a news conference, pausing to clear his throat before he asked for prayers for the families of the victims in a shaky voice.
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"We've recovered no survivors," he added.
During a vigil at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen, senior pastor Tim Farris noted that many in attendance know each other, the victims and their families.
"There's a lot of people hur
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