INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NASHVILLE: A motor home parked on a street exploded in downtown Nashville at dawn on Friday, moments after a recorded message emanating from
injured in the Christmas morning blast, though none critically
Authorities said it was uncertain whether anyone was inside the recreational vehicle when it exploded, but police reported hours later that
populous city.Authorities offered no explanation as to a possible motive, and there was no claim of responsibility.The blast came just
moments after officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area and discovered the recreational vehicle parked outside an AT-T building
in downtown Nashville at about 6 a.m
This area must be evacuated now
If you can hear this message, evacuate now
Metro Nashville Police Department posted a photo of the recreational vehicle on its Twitter feed and said that the vehicle had arrived in
the area at 1:22 a.m.COMPUTERIZED-GENERATED VOICEAn area resident, Betsy Williams, told CNN that she was awakened by the sound of gunfire
damaged several adjacent buildings, sending a pall of black smoke into the sky that could be seen for miles
The mayor said a total of 41 businesses were damaged.Fire officials said three people were taken to local hospitals with relatively minor
injuries, and they were listed in stable condition
were closed given the early hour of the day, the Christmas holiday and prevailing COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, also helping
had not ascertained whether anyone was in the motor home when it exploded.MOTIVE UNCLEARDamage to AT-T facilities from the explosion caused
widespread disruptions of telephone, internet and fiber optic TV service in central Tennessee and parts of several neighboring states,
including Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, the company said.Drake said authorities had received no threats of an attack prior to
The Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry and just three blocks from the blast scene, was undamaged
least nine blocks away, knocking one officer off his feet, Aaron said.Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States
told CNN the incident appeared to have been a solitary act, though bomb-sniffing dogs were being led through the downtown area as a
