Local churches held grief services Sunday after a deadly blast tore through a munitions plant in McEwen, Tennessee, killing 16 people and leaving the community in shock.
The Corrected Energetic Systems facility, a major local employer that makes explosives for the military, was reduced to a pile of scorched metal and burnt‑out vehicles when the explosion surged across a wooded area between the Tennessee River and Nashville. Authorities still investigate the cause, but the blast was powerful enough to be felt more than 20 miles away.
Pastor Jimmy Andrews of Maple Valley Baptist Church in Nunnelly gathered survivors, families, and friends inside the church on Sunday. “It’s a very somber feeling, because so many lives were taken,” he said. “We’re all holding each other up in this hard time.”
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also joined a vigil in Waverly, speaking about the staggering losses after touring the damage from a helicopter. “We’ve lost so many, and it’s heartbreaking,” Lee told reporters outside Compassion Church.
The county sheriff’s office confirmed that all 16 people who were missing are now known to be dead. Names of the victims have not yet been released. Officials in Humphreys County are clearing the wreckage carefully, warning that controlled explosions may be needed to dispose of hazardous material safely. “We are taking extraordinary precautions to keep the community safe, though you might hear noise or see smoke,” the sheriff said.
McEwen’s mayor, Brad Rachford, lowered city flags to half‑staff on Saturday and scheduled a candlelight vigil for Sunday evening. “We will keep helping those affected by this tragedy,” Rachford emailed residents.
Brandon Brake, a longtime attendee of Maple Valley Baptist, described how many in the area are leaning on “church family” support to get through the aftermath. “It’s a tragic time, but we’re going to pull through together,” he said.
The explosion has sent ripples through the regional workforce, shaking the local economy and the tight‑knit community that surrounded the plant. As investigations continue, residents and workers alike look to their faith communities for comfort and solidarity.
Source: New York Post
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