‘It’s heartbreaking’ Locals react to explosion at General Dynamics facility near Camden

CALHOUN COUNTY, Ark. – Wednesday was chaotic for many in Calhoun County after officials said an explosion left two people injured and another missing.

Officials said the explosion happened at the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems facility east of Camden, which produces and stores military munitions.

“They do everything they can, but something went wrong this morning,” Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt said.

According to the company, two people were injured in the explosion and one is missing. Ouachita County Medical Center officials confirmed they treated one in their emergency room and transported another to the Camden Municipal Airport to be med-flighted to receive treatment outside of Arkansas.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Calhoun County local Allison Stevens Gosselink said. “We’re thinking about all those involved.”

People in nearby Hampton say this is the second tragedy they’ve faced recently as the Mad Butcher in Fordyce is their nearest grocery store.

“Everyone here knew at least one person who was in that area when that shooting happened and then this morning, it’s a lot of tragedy in a short period of time,” Gosselink said.

Nutt said the investigation into what happened is being handled above the county level.

“I know they’re going to get to the bottom of this,” Nutt said. “It’s bad. I’m sad it happened, and hopefully it won’t happen again.”

General Dynamics officials have not released a statement since Wednesday morning. They said they will provide more information as it becomes available.

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