Carroll County First Responder Assists After Deadly AES Explosion

McEWEN (October 13) — After an explosion devastated Hickman and Humphreys counties on Friday, a local first responder answered the call to assist in the recovery effort.

Brandy Baumgardner, a member of the Carroll County Rescue Squad and a pre-kindergarten teacher at McKenzie Elementary School, was deployed to McEwen, Tennessee, on Saturday following the deadly explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) facility.

The explosion happened at approximately 7:45 a.m., according to a statement from AES, presumably killing 16 people. The explosion, felt from miles away, flattened the building, leaving only rubble and soot.

Baumgardner, a member of the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team, said she and her team were requested by local and federal agencies to provide crisis intervention services to those impacted by the horrific incident.

The Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team is a statewide team with two functions: providing mental health support following a disaster and providing emergency response crisis intervention.

During a press conference, authorities said counseling will be available at nearby schools in the wake of the tragedy. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) urges individuals experiencing emotional distress related to the incident to seek help.

The Humphreys County and Hickman County Sheriff’s Offices, in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team, are the lead law enforcement authorities on the ground. Multiple local, state, and federal partners are assisting with the investigation and recovery process.

Emergency response teams and investigative agencies remain on the scene, progressing slowly due to the extensive debris and the potential presence of explosive materials. Teams must continue clearing the area of active explosives before comprehensive recovery operations can take place.

“It’s almost like putting a puzzle back together,” said Matthew Belew, acting special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “We have worked closely with AES to know to look at pictures, look at blueprints, any of the identifying things that were in the building. And then we slowly methodically start to put some of that stuff together.”

AES is a privately-owned industrial facility that processes ammunition and explosives. They do not manufacture them, according to a TEMA press release.

Debris was scattered for miles around the site. Residents who locate debris that may have come from the explosion are asked to contact their local sheriff’s office so trained personnel can respond safely.

All state routes have been reopened, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). However, TDOT advises drivers to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to continue their work safely and efficiently.

No survivors were located on the scene. Officials have released the names of the presumed victims: Jason Adams, Billy Baker, Christopher Clark, James Cook, LaTeisha Mays, Melinda Rainey, Trenton Stewart, Steven Wright, Erick Anderson, Adam Boatman, Mindy Clifton, Reyna Gillahan, Jeremy Moore, Melissa Stafford, Rachel Woodall and Donald Yowell.

Officials report that the release of the victims’ names does not indicate that all remains have been identified.