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Nashville Explosion May Have Been 'Intentional' Police Say

Associated Press

   NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - Authorities believe an explosion that rocked the
   downtown Nashville area early on Christmas Day was a deliberate act,
   according to Metro Nashville Police Department.
   Police spokesman Don Aaron said the 6:30 a.m. explosion, which
   shattered glass and damaged buildings, was believed to be "an
   intentional act." Police earlier said they believe a vehicle was
   involved in the explosion. He said three people were taken to area
   hospitals for treatment, although none were in critical condition.
   Police and fire crews were on the scene, as were investigators from the
   FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
   "Right now, it's a public safety concern, to make sure everybody is
   accounted for and to make sure the spread of the fire doesn't go any
   further," Michael Knight, a spokesman for the ATF in Nashville, told
   The Associated Press.
   Black smoke and flames were seen early Friday billowing from the area,
   which is packed with bars, restaurants and other retail establishments
   and is known as the heart of downtown Nashville's tourist scene.
   Buildings shook in the immediate area and beyond after a loud boom was
   heard.
   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.