A massive vehicle explosion rocked Nashville’s Entertainment district early Christmas morning at 6:30am local time.
Metro Nashville Police, The Nashville Fire Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the bomb squad responded to a police call at 6:00am local time to a report of gunfire and a suspicious vehicle parked near Second Avenue and Commerce Street in Downtown Nashville on early Friday morning (Dec. 25). The suspicious vehicle is said to be a Recreational vehicle (RV), was parked nearby the AT&T building.
According to Metro police spokesperson Don Aaron, Police alerted the department’s bomb squad, whom was en route, when the “significant explosion” happened, about 30 minutes later. The force of the explosion knocked one officer to the ground and cause temporary hearing loss to another.
“An explosion linked to a vehicle occurred at 6:30 this morning outside 166 2nd Ave N downtown. Investigation active by MNPD & federal partners,” Metro Police shared on Twitter.
The explosion was said to have been so significant that people heard and felt it for 10 blocks, as many people reported windows shaking from South and East Nashville. Nashville’s News Channel 5 even reported that the explosion was felt up to 40 miles away.
Fox 17 reports that Metro Nashville Police were able to conduct door-to-door checks prior to the explosion to evacuate people nearby.
It is believed that the explosion was “intentional.”
“We do believe this to have been an intentional act,” Aaron said. “Significant damage has been done to the infrastructure there on 2nd Avenue North.”
Nearby residents took to social media to showcase the damage, which you can see photos and videos of below.
https://twitter.com/Austin_Zone/status/1342476284568473607?s=20
MNPD, FBI & ATF investigating the 6:30 a.m. explosion on 2nd Ave N linked to a vehicle. This appears to have been an intentional act. Law enforcement is closing downtown streets as investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/YOfMTaKmTH
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 25, 2020
Horrific images from #Sky5 of the explosion in downtown Nashville. Damage stretches for a few blocks @nc5 pic.twitter.com/58FthpYh3M
— Chris Conte (@chrisconte) December 25, 2020
Footage from the scene on 2nd Ave North as multiple agencies continue to work and investigate an explosion from earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/5g40RhwNNl
— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) December 25, 2020
merry christmas #nashville #explosion @NC5 pic.twitter.com/15mNtL3DUd
— Sydney ♡ (@_sydneymeister) December 25, 2020
Major damage to buildings close to and around scene of huge explosion in #Nashville. Shards of glass and windows blown out hundreds of yards from 2nd Av. pic.twitter.com/gnQiXwCZ3M
— Tony Husband (@TonyHusband) December 25, 2020
merry christmas #nashville #explosion @NC5 pic.twitter.com/15mNtL3DUd
— Sydney ♡ (@_sydneymeister) December 25, 2020
It has been reported that three people have been hospitalized with injuries, but none were in critical condition, according to Nashville Fire spokesman Joseph Pleasant. No deaths or other injuries have been reported as of yet. Dozens of buildings have been badly damaged.
The downtown area has now been sealed off with an active investigation underway, led by the FBI with the help of Nashville authorities and state agencies.
“The president is grateful for the incredible first responders and praying for those who were injured,” spokesperson Judd Deere told Fox News. Deere also said that President Trump “will continue to receive regular updates” as the story continues to develop.
Story is still developing.
