It was 25 years ago today when a massive explosion destroyed an illegal fireworks factory in Polk County, Tennessee.

A NewsChannel 9 crew (then "Action News" crew) just happened to already be in the area on another story. The smoke was still rolling as they were the first media to arrive and record the devastation that killed eleven people.

It was a historic event that changed many lives... and led to changes in laws, and law enforcement regarding such illegal operations.

Dan Webb operated the factory that went by the name "Webb's Bait Farm." He was out of state at the time of the explosion but returned and surrendered to local and federal authorities. His own mother, a brother and an uncle, along with other relatives, were killed in the blast. He was ultimately charged with 11 counts of manslaughter. The investigation led to numerous other indictments in many other states.

Webb was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Click to links to the right to watch some of the 1983 NewsChannel 9 stories as the events unfolded.