MILAN, Tenn. (AP) — A thunderous explosion tore through a storage building at an Army ammunition plant Wednesday, causing at least one serious injury and creating a blast that could be heard for miles. Two people were reported missing.
Mayor George Killebrew said one person was airlifted to a hospital, while authorities searched for two others caught in the explosion at the Milan Army Ammunition plant. The cause was not immediately determined, but FBI agent George Bolds had been told by authorities that the blast appeared to be an accident.
“As far as we know, they were moving some barrels of some sort of volatile material and one of the barrels flashed,” Bolds said.
Killebrew said the storage building housed ammunition and was located in an isolated area of the plant. Three to four people typically work there at a time, he said.
He said the explosion would be difficult for family members of workers at the plant, but added that “when we have the arsenal here, it’s something we’re always cognizant that could happen.”
Darrell Rinks, shop foreman at the Gibson County Highway Department, heard the explosion at his workplace some 15 miles away.
The plant, established during World War II, makes medium-caliber ammunition for the Army and employs about 600 workers. Milan, a town of about 7,500 people, is about 90 miles northeast of Memphis.
The plant got an $11 million contract in 2003 to load, assemble and pack cartridges used in grenade machine guns.
Prayers for the workers.
Is it coincidence that this town is named "Milan"?
http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=2426710
"Army ammo plant explodes in West Tennessee"
October 13, 2004
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "MILAN (AP) -- Two people are reported missing and another is seriously injured in an explosion Wednesday at a storage building at the Milan Army Ammunition plant.
Milan Mayor George Killebrew said one person was airlifted to a hospital, while the search continues for two others caught in the 2:30 p.m. explosion.
The FBI says agents have been told by authorities that the blast appeared to be an accident.
FBI agent George Bolds of Memphis said a barrel flashed containing some sort of volatile material."