UPDATE II: An image of the RV has been released.
BREAKING: This is the RV that exploded on 2nd Ave N this morning. It arrived on 2nd Ave at 1:22 a.m. Have you seen this vehicle in our area or do you have information about it? Please contact us via Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 or online via https://t.co/dVGS7o0m4v. @ATFHQ pic.twitter.com/JNx9sDinAH
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 25, 2020
UPDATE: During a press conference Friday afternoon, authorities said warning to evacuate the area were coming from inside the RV before it exploded. They do not know if someone was in the RV at the time of detonation.
Nashville PD says when officers arrived on scene early this morning they found RV with a “recording” saying the vehicle would explode in 15 minutes
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) December 25, 2020
explosive to eviscerate vehicle of that size. Notes: axles, frames, engine, very durable to blasts. Also if explosion sufficient to eviscerate RV, would expect extremely LARGE crater similar Oklahoma City bombing + complete building collapse (especially older brick in Nashville)
— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 25, 2020
Investigators say police responded to reports of shots fired this morning in downtown Nashville. Audio was heard coming from a RV saying a bomb would be going off in 15 minutes. The RV blew up. 3 people are wounded. Several buildings damaged. pic.twitter.com/XmegZYA48X
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 25, 2020
***Original post***
An RV exploded in downtown Nashville Friday morning and after an initial investigation, local police say it was intentional. Beforehand, police saved lives by moving people out of the area after responding to the suspicious vehicle. The building where the RV exploded has been hollowed out. Federal law enforcement is on the scene and the FBI has taken the lead. President Trump has been briefed on the situation.
Some photos showing damage on 2nd Ave North as multiple agencies continue to work and investigate an explosion from earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/0cWA3oUCDl
— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) December 25, 2020
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
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 Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 25, 2020
BREAKING: .@ATFNashville is on scene of the explosion/fire incident in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Follow our partners @MNPDNashville for updates. pic.twitter.com/pGEpXj70Gl
— ATF Nashville (@ATFNashville) December 25, 2020
A witness explained the scene to the Associated Press.
Buck McCoy, who lives near the area, posted videos on Facebook that show water pouring down the ceiling of his home. Alarms blare in the background and cries of people in great distress ring in the background. A fire is visible in the street outside. McCoy said the windows of his home were entirely blown out.
“All my windows, every single one of them got blown into the next room. If I had been standing there it would have been horrible,” he said.
“It felt like a bomb. It was that big,” he told The Associated Press.
“There were about four cars on fire. I don’t know if it was so hot they just caught on fire, and the trees were all blown apart,” he said.
The explosion severely damaged surrounding buildings. At least three people were taken to a local hospital.
BREAKING: Nashville police say officers saw suspicious RV and swept apartments door-to-door before blast occurred, likely saving lives. Officers were “blown to the ground” & at least one suffered hearing loss. pic.twitter.com/SbzKZ1vooS
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 25, 2020
MORE: At least three people taken to hospital for treatment following downtown Nashville explosion, according to officials; the injuries were not believed to be critical https://t.co/HMt2bB3eKf pic.twitter.com/WLUcLyUcKy
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 25, 2020
This post has been updated with additional information.