TENNESSEE — Authorities have identified the first confirmed victim of Friday’s devastating explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) in Middle Tennessee as Trent Stewart. The catastrophic blast, described by investigators as a “mass detonation,” destroyed one of the main buildings at the explosives manufacturing facility and left nineteen people dead or unaccounted for. The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m. CDT on the AES campus, located on the Hickman and Humphreys County line, about an hour southwest of Nashville.
The factory, which produces military-grade and commercial explosives for defense, mining, and demolition, was reduced to rubble in seconds. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the aftermath as “the most devastating scene I’ve seen in my career.” The force of the blast scattered steel, concrete, and vehicles across a wide area and triggered several smaller explosions. Residents reported that their homes shook for miles, with smoke visible high above the trees.
Sheriff Davis confirmed that multiple fatalities have occurred but said the full extent of the tragedy remains uncertain. “We’re missing 19 souls,” he said during a press briefing, adding that recovery efforts will likely take days. “Do I see a short-term explanation? No. Do I see us being here for many days? Yes, I do.” Search and recovery teams continued working through debris late into the evening, as investigators tried to determine what caused the deadly detonation.
Emergency crews from TEMA, the FBI, and the ATF joined local responders to secure the area and assist with recovery operations. By mid-morning, officials said the scene had been stabilized to prevent further explosions. According to TriStar Health spokesperson Casey Stapp, three people sustained minor injuries—two were treated and released, while one remains hospitalized at TriStar Horizon Medical Center in Dickson.
Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates said AES employs about 80 workers, though it is unclear how many were inside the destroyed building when the explosion occurred. The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) confirmed it has opened an investigation but will wait until the site is fully cleared. Records show that TOSHA previously inspected the facility in 2019 after workers were exposed to cyclonite (RDX), a powerful military explosive.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blast. Sheriff Davis said investigators are working closely with federal experts to uncover what led to one of the deadliest industrial disasters in Tennessee’s history. “This is a tragedy that will stay with our community for years,” he said. “Our focus right now is recovery, accountability, and supporting the families who have lost so much.”