SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (AP) – A community near Springfield, Tennessee, is mourning the 16 people killed in Thursday’s explosion at a Westmoreland chemical plant. The blast at the Vulcan Materials Company facility sent shockwaves through Robertson County, prompting a massive emergency response and leaving residents reeling.Authorities have not yet released the names of all the victims, but Robertson County Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Ashley McDonald confirmed the death toll Friday morning. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, but officials said it involved a propane tank.
“It’s a devastating loss for our community,” said Springfield Mayor Annabelle Suddarth. “These were hard-working individuals, neighbors, friends, and family members. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.”
the Vulcan Materials Company plant produces asphalt and other construction materials. The explosion occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time, and the resulting fire took several hours to contain. Multiple agencies responded, including local fire departments, law enforcement, and hazardous materials teams.
residents described hearing a loud boom and feeling the ground shake. Some reported debris falling from the sky. The impact of the blast damaged nearby homes and businesses.
“It sounded like a bomb went off,” said resident Brenda Harris, who lives about a mile from the plant. “The whole house shook. I ran outside and saw a huge plume of smoke.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is assisting with the investigation and providing support to local officials. The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to investigate the cause of the explosion.
this is not the first incident at the Vulcan materials Company facility. In 2018, the plant was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Governance (OSHA) for safety violations.