American City Rocked by ‘Intentional’ Explosion Early on Christmas Morning

As dawn prepared to peek over the horizon in one of America’s most storied cities, chaos erupted.

Just yards away from one of the most heavily visited streets east of the Mississippi River, a massive explosion splintered the peace and quit of the yuletide, forcing a major evacuation effort and prompting fears of further destruction.

A large explosion was reported in downtown Nashville early Christmas morning.

The explosion happened in the area of Second Avenue and Broadway near Commerce Street occurred around 6:30 am Friday. Heavy black smoke can be seen rising above the affected area.

The Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management told News 2 a parked RV exploded and caused damage to several buildings. They said crews are currently assessing the damage but no injuries have been reported.

Officials have now said that they believe the explosion to be an intentional act.

Breaking. Intentional act. #Nashville pic.twitter.com/AN1jYcatar

— Please Mask Up (@VBlifeme) December 25, 2020

Some reported hearing a heft volley of gunfire before the event.

Reports of gunfire and explosion around 6:03am this morning in #Nashville pic.twitter.com/McaFMpYCcK

— Corey. (@CoreyKlem) December 25, 2020

Footage of damage from the explosion was making the rounds on social media this morning.

These are pictures from 2nd Avenue south. Windows were broken out from explosion area to Broadway. Please AVOID this area! Media staging is at 2nd Avenue south and KVB. pic.twitter.com/tocdpHWFgj

— Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) December 25, 2020

#BREAKING: We are still working to gather more information this morning from a large explosion on 2nd & Commerce in downtown #Nashville. Take a look at this picture from viewer James Green. Stick with @WKRN as we learn more. pic.twitter.com/qRtu8Vo7aV

— brooke reese (@brookereesetv) December 25, 2020

Photo from across river by @NC5's @KevWisniewski pic.twitter.com/AdrUZ1GXHh

— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) December 25, 2020

#Nashville explosion this morning. An RV went kaboom. pic.twitter.com/DOQ3GK7qfi

— Charlie (@NobodyNashville) December 25, 2020

There are sure to be a bevy of developments as this story unfolds.