Three people, including a police officer, are in the hospital after an explosion Christmas morning in downtown Nashville.
According to WTVF, municipal, state and federal police officers are investigating reports of gunfire before the blast outside a restaurant called "The Melting Pot."
Nashville Police were called to 166 Second Avenue North around 6:30 a.m. after receiving calls about a suspicious RV parked in the area and a warning that people nearby should evacuate. After a search of the vehicle, the Hazardous Devices Unit was called to the scene. The RV exploded soon after.
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
The injured police officer suffered hearing loss and officials said it was too soon to say if it was permanent.
Heavy smoke and widespread damage is reported in downtown Nashville.
CNN reports the blast was felt across Davidson County.
Mayor John Cooper told the media several buildings on the edge of Nashville's tourism district had been evacuated, trees were down, and broken glass carpeted nearby streets.
At 6:32 Christmas morning, @MNPDNashville and @NashvilleFD responded to the scene of an explosion on 2nd Ave, approximately one block north of Broadway. Metro Police confirm the source of the explosion came from a vehicle.
— Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) December 25, 2020
President Trump has been notified of the situation but had not responded on social media by the time this story was published.
