Nashville RV Explosion Injures Three People and Knocks Out Tennessee Communication System

A parked RV exploded in Nashville, Tennessee, early on Christmas morning, injuring three people and knocking out communications systems across the state.

Police believe the blast outside a telecoms building was caused deliberately.

Officers responding to reports of gunshots just before 06:00 found a RV broadcasting a warning message to leave the area.

The van exploded a few minutes later.

According to officials, a police officer was knocked off the feet by the force of the blast.

Police have now released this image of the van – described by Nashville police as a recreational vehicle – arriving at the scene on Christmas morning.

Nashville PD tweeted: “BREAKING: This is the RV that exploded on 2nd Ave N this morning. It arrived on 2nd Ave at 1:22 a.m. Have you seen this vehicle in our area or do you have information about it? Please contact us via Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 or online via http://fbi.gov/nashville. @ATFHQ”

The RV blew up outside a building belonging to the telecoms giant AT&T, which also occupies an office tower nearby.

Buildings suffered structural damage, windows were blown out, and trees felled. Videos posted on social media showed water from damaged pipes running down walls as alarms howled in the background.

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Police emergency systems were knocked out across much of Tennessee. Flights out of Nashville International Airport were briefly halted as a result of damage done by the blast but have now resumed.

No motive has yet been established, nor do police know who was behind the incident.

A number of people have been taken to the central police precinct for questioning, a spokesman told the Associated Press.

It was not clear whether anyone was inside the vehicle at the time of the explosion, police said.

The FBI is leading the investigation. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved.

The explosion hit an area of Nashville known for its restaurants and nightlife.

Police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters: “To this point, we do believe that the explosion was an intentional act.”

Surveillance video posted on YouTube appeared to show the moments before the explosion, when a warning was broadcast, saying: “If you can hear this message, evacuate now.”

A loud bang follows and flames and smoke fill the screen.

In a tweet Tennessee Governor Bill Lee pledged to supply “all of the resources needed” to investigate what happened and who was behind it.

President Donald Trump has been briefed on the matter.