In what has already been a difficult time for so many dealing with COVID-19, people were woken up Christmas morning as a motorhome exploded in the middle of the Entertainment district of downtown Nashville, TN.
Christmas has always been a day that united and brings hope to a chaotic world. But this year, a motorhome was parked on 2nd Ave outside of a switching facility owned by AT&T. The location was pinpointed to be between Church Street and Commerce Street in a historic part of the downtown area.
While a motive hasn’t been announced, police at the time said they had responded to shots fired and saw the suspicious vehicle. When they arrived, they heard a voice on a speaker inside the recreational vehicle warning residents to evacuate the area. The bomb squad was immediately called in. At 6:29am Central time, the motorhome exploded damaging surrounding buildings and injuring three officers who were evacuating people from the area.
MNPD, FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation and ATF investigating the 6:30 a.m. explosion on 2nd Ave North linked to a…Posted by Metropolitan Nashville Police Department on Friday, December 25, 2020
Thankfully, no fatalities were reported in what’s being called, an “intentional act.”
Earlier this year, Nashville dealt with a devastating tornado. Many homes and businesses were either damaged or destroyed and several people lost their lives. Organizations from all over Middle Tennessee and around the country pitched in to help rebuild areas that were affected and to help those displaced find shelter.
Nashville’s mayor John Cooper spoke Friday morning assuring residents of the situation. “At 6:32 Christmas morning, Metro Nashville Police Department and the Nashville Fire Department 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. The cause of the explosion is under investigation with help from federal authorities. MNPD will share updates as they become available and is restricting downtown traffic. Be safe Nashville. Thank you to our emergency personnel for your quick response.”
The investigation is expected to take several days or possibly weeks to complete. The Salvation Army in Nashville responded during the course of the day to assist in handing out food, drinks, and supplies to those affected by Fridays explosion, including emergency responders.
They have set up a page to learn more about how you can help during this crisis. Click here to learn more.
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ATR News Chief Digital Editor Thomas Lineweaver in Nashville, TN and ATR News Social Media Editor Norman Malecki in Knoxville, TN contributed to this report. ATR News Contributing Staff Writer Megan Hayes in Nashville, TN contributed with on-ground reports.