Simply miles from a rural Tennessee plant leveled by a devastating explosion, the congregants of Maple Valley Baptist Church devoted Sunday’s service to the 16 deceased victims and their households.
A number of of the handfuls of individuals praying on the small church knew somebody who labored on the plant owned by Correct Energetic Programs, which provides and researches explosives for the navy and is a well known employer within the space.
“There’s a somber kind of vibe right now in the community just because it’s so many lives that have been affected by it,” stated Pastor Jimmy Andrews of the church in Nunnelly. “It’s family and friends just trying to hold each other up during this most difficult time.”
Church buildings throughout lots of the space’s small close-knit communities, together with one other one attended by Gov. Invoice Lee on Sunday, did the identical by vigils and providers as many tried to make sense of the devastation.
“The losses are staggering,” Lee informed reporters after surveying the injury by helicopter and attending Compassion Church in close by Waverly.
Kristen Lindsey, left, hugs Madison Brooks throughout a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of a blast at an explosives plant, Correct Energetic Programs, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Waverly, Tenn.
George Walker IV / AP
“Extraordinary precautions are in place to prevent further damage and injuries,” the Humphreys County sheriff’s workplace stated in a press release. “The community around the area is safe but you may hear noise and see some smoke.”
The preliminary blast was felt for greater than 20 miles, leaving a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metallic and burned-out autos on the plant. Authorities stated there have been no survivors. They’d not recognized the deceased by Sunday.
CBS affiliate WTVF-TV in Nashville broadcast video of particles strewn in regards to the web site, with broken autos in a car parking zone.
The plant is situated in a closely wooded space of center Tennessee, between the important Tennessee River to the west and Nashville to the east. Correct Energetic Programs specializes within the growth and storage of merchandise and explosives for navy, aerospace and business demolition markets, in keeping with their web site. The corporate additionally exams these explosives on the 1,300-acre campus.
Brandon Brake, 42, stated many within the space had been leaning on their “church families” to make it by. He attended Maple Valley Baptist.
“It’s been a tragic time,” he stated. “We’re going to pull through.”
Starting Monday, faculties within the space will present counselors and therapists on-site to assist college students and workers, WTVF reported.
The group of McEwen lowered its flags to half-staff on Saturday out of respect. A Sunday night candlelight vigil was deliberate outdoors the Humphreys County Courthouse. Colleges within the county stated counseling providers could be accessible to college students on Monday.
Andrews, the pastor of Maple Valley Baptist, informed congregants to look out for one another.
“Lord, I just pray we lift up those that are continuing to suffer through this tragic event,” he stated.
