UPDATED: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) Assistant Fire Marshal Shandreah Womack is deployed through the rest of the week. She is assisting and working alongside local partners in the investigation of Friday’s deadly explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC (AES), an explosives manufacturer in McEwen, Tenn. Murfreeesboro Fire Rescue Department Chief Mark McCluske stated, “Our prayers are with the responders and the families affected by this horrible tragedy.” Chief McCluskey continued, “Assistant Fire Marshal Womack’s deployment reflects our commitment to supporting our partner agencies and helping wherever we are needed.”
Nicole Valdes with CBS News reported...
On October 10, 2025, an explosion occurred at an Accurate Energetic Systems manufacturing plant in Humphreys County, Tennessee, United States, causing 16 fatalities and at least four injuries. The facility, located near Bucksnort, was used in the manufacture, storage, and research of high explosives for the Department of Defense and various other customers.
Founded in 1980, Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC (AES) is a Tennessee-based company specializing in the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of energetic materials for the military, aerospace, and commercial industries. Located on a 1,200-acre facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, about 50 miles west of Nashville, AES operates five specialized production buildings and a quality lab for product testing and analysis, all within environmentally controlled settings.
Through continuous research, acquisitions, and capital investment, AES has expanded its capabilities to meet evolving customer needs. The company serves a wide range of clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as foreign military and police agencies, aerospace launch providers, and commercial industries such as oil and gas, mining, blasting, avalanche control, and demolition.
Contracts with the company often came from federal officials like the Department of Defense, which awarded AES a contract for $120 million for "the procurement of TNT" on September 23, 2025.
On the 10th of October, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Department of Homeland Security, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were among the agencies that responded to the explosion. Emergency responders were initially unable to reach the site due to continuing explosions.
On Wednesday, the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office reported: Operations continue at the AES explosion site with local, state and federal agencies working to render additional explosive materials safe. Small controlled explosions and fires may be heard and visible in the area around AES. The public is asked to avoid the area but roads remain open. Extraordinary precautions are in place to prevent further damage and injuries. The community around the area is safe hut you may hear noise and see some smoke. Thank you for your cooperation.
