A massive explosion in downtown Nashville that sent debris multiple city blocks has been deemed “intentional” by investigators.
The Christmas Day explosion came from an RV — and could be seen “miles away” according to reports.
#UPDATE: Don Aaron with Metro police says it appears the RV explosion “was an intentional act.” The scene at 2nd/Commerce in downtown Nashville will be active for an extensive period of time. ATF, FBI and other agencies involved in investigation. We are LIVE on @WKRN. pic.twitter.com/SfYilpVdqf
— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowWKRN) December 25, 2020
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“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,” the MNPD tweeted.
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
“Police responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked outside the AT&T building just before 6 a.m. Upon arrival, police said an officer ‘had reason’ to alert the department’s hazardous devices unit, which was en route, when a ‘significant explosion’ happened,” the Tennessean reports.
Three people were hospitalized with injuries. First responders were unable to begin searching buildings until they were cleared by the bomb squad, but have search and rescue and cadaver dogs on the scene.
There have been reports of gunfire before and after the explosion — as well as live ammo exploding inside of a vehicle that was ablaze.
“Explosion in downtown Nashville, apparently from parked vehicle on 2nd Ave. Fire department personnel being told to pull back two blocks from explosion site, concerned about potential vehicle bombs. Police bomb squad and fire hazmat team on scene,” local reporter Phil Williams tweeted.
Photo from across river by @NC5‘s @KevWisniewski pic.twitter.com/AdrUZ1GXHh
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) December 25, 2020
#Nashville: Metro Nashville Police: “An explosion linked to a vehicle occurred at 6:30 this morning outside 166 2nd Ave N downtown. Investigation active by MNPD & federal partners”
pic.twitter.com/Ra9LC8Ap1l— I.E.N. (@BreakingIEN) December 25, 2020
#NashvilleExplosion NFD still evacuating more buildings but not going inside any buildings til bomb squad clears them. Bomb squad just beginning. pic.twitter.com/uA4FhD1ID0
— Julie Hinton (@Julie_Hinton) December 25, 2020
BREAKING/(CON’T): Scene photo (via NFD) pic.twitter.com/Z2khQFIm5A
— Jason Steen (@jasonashville) December 25, 2020
There are reports of heavy structural damage for at least one block and possible fatalities, as well as debris being recovered several city blocks in multiple directions.
A large explosion rocked Nashville this morning. Fire Department told to pull back due to concerns of possibly more. Photos emerging show a very crazy situation. #Nashville #NashvilleExplosion
[Knish] pic.twitter.com/4rz8imJTdB— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) December 25, 2020
“Debris was ejected quite far. Some as far as 4-5 blocks away.Debris was ejected quite far. Some as far as 4-5 blocks away,” Aurora Intel tweeted.
Another video from the area of the explosion.#Nashville #NashvilleExplosion
[Knish] pic.twitter.com/UrVh5ylsBm— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) December 25, 2020
At least two vehicles were on fire near the blast site, with live rounds popping off due to fire, a man named Drew Small reported on Twitter.
merry christmas #nashville #explosion @NC5 pic.twitter.com/15mNtL3DUd
— Sydney ♡ (@_sydneyhatfield) December 25, 2020
“Explosion shook my house miles away in South Nashville. We could see the mushroom cloud from the initial blast from our house. Been carefully listening to emergency radio,” Small wrote.
I spoke with a man who lives here and says he heard what sounded like a shootout — multiple gun shots — he barricaded his door and police later evacuated the complex. Then he heard an explosion. @WKRN
— Elizabeth Lane (@elizabethlanetv) December 25, 2020
Another video from the area of the explosion.#Nashville #NashvilleExplosion
[Knish] pic.twitter.com/UrVh5ylsBm— Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) December 25, 2020
Oh my god! This video from downtown #Nashville of the explosion!!!
This is from Buck McCoy on Facebook! pic.twitter.com/xA1J8AgyGc
— Ryan Graney👩🏻🦰 (@RyanEGraney) December 25, 2020
The Metro Nashville Police tweeted shortly after 9 a.m. that “an explosion linked to a vehicle occurred at 6:30 this morning outside 166 2nd Ave N downtown. Investigation active by MNPD & federal partners.”
This incident is ongoing and Gateway Pundit will be providing updates as more information becomes available.
