Benton Fireworks Disaster

Date: May 27, 1983 • Location: Benton, United States

An explosion at an illegal fireworks factory near Benton, Tennessee, killed eleven people.

The Benton fireworks disaster was an industrial disaster that occurred on May 27, 1983, on a farm near Benton, Tennessee. A powerful explosion at an unlicensed fireworks factory producing illegal fireworks killed eleven and injured one, revealing the existence of the factory for the first time to law enforcement and the public. The initial explosion was heard more than 20 mi (32 km) away.