Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
After an explosion was reported Friday morning in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, local and federal police have launched an investigation, as they believe it was an "intentional act".
Due to the powerful explosion, three people were injured and transported to nearby hospitals, although none are in critical condition, police spokesman Don Aaron said at a press conference.
He also added that the department's Hazardous Devices Unit was heading downtown in response to a call about a suspicious vehicle when there was a simultaneous related explosion. "We believe the explosion was an intentional act."
Nashville's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said in a statement that it activated a response to an intentional bombing incident downtown just after 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday, December 25, 2020.
The explosion occurred at 166 Second Avenue North, which caused extensive damage, said authorities, who also said the incident was vehicle-related.
For his part, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said that at 6:32 a.m. Christmas morning, the city's Police and Fire departments responded to the scene of an explosion on 2nd Ave, approximately one block north of Broadway.
Through his Twitter account, he noted that the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the source of the explosion came from a vehicle.
"The cause of the explosion is under investigation with the assistance of federal authorities. The Police Department will share updates as they become available, and will continue to restrict traffic in the area. Stay safe Nashville. Thank you to our emergency personnel for their quick response," he noted.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Twitter account highlights that the canine team is doing protective sweeps in the city center, so traffic is restricted.
According to local media, after the explosion occurred, flames and black smoke were observed in the center of the city, which, it should be noted, is a center of tourist activity, with restaurants, bars and music venues.
Representatives from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Nashville Fire Department, the Mayor's Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will use the EOC to coordinate ongoing investigative and response operations.
In response to the situation, authorities asked residents to call 911 in case of emergency.
