An explosion rocked multiple blocks in downtown Nashville, Tennessee after 6:00 a.m. this morning, as we reported earlier, damaging buildings, shattering windows, spreading a debris field over multiple city blocks and wounding at least three people.

The police were already in the area because prior to the blast there were reports of shots fired just before 6:00 a.m. and because there was a recording reportedly coming from a suspicious RV warning people to leave the area, “If you can hear this message, evacuate now.”

BREAKING: Audio warning was being broadcast before explosion rocked downtown Nashville. Video shows moment of blast. pic.twitter.com/3IvciFH6BV

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 25, 2020

Investigators say police responded to reports of shots fired this morning in downtown Nashville. Audio was heard coming from a RV saying a bomb would be going off in 15 minutes. The RV blew up. 3 people are wounded. Several buildings damaged. pic.twitter.com/XmegZYA48X

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 25, 2020

Police tried to get everyone out in the buildings around the RV as they called the bomb squad to deal with the RV. That’s when it blew up, knocking officers to the ground.

The FBI is taking over the investigation. Authorities then searched the nearby areas to make sure there were no more bombs.

It took out the AT&T services and 911 for the area because it went off right in front of an AT&T facility.

ATT services are down after explosion in Nashville. Also hearing that 911 / emergency services are not working in several cities pic.twitter.com/riTBfPRuWh

— Meaghan Thomas (@megtomwx) December 25, 2020

Horrific footage from #nashvilleexplosion a few hours ago in #Nashville pic.twitter.com/vpc3YO6HUh

— Baruch Sandhaus (@BaruchSandhaus) December 25, 2020

Footage from the scene on 2nd Ave North as multiple agencies continue to work and investigate an explosion from earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/5g40RhwNNl

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

Here’s another video from Buck McCoy from downtown #Nashville. Look at the destruction. My god. https://t.co/SmPxzo739a pic.twitter.com/rF2pdiRFXS

— Ryan Graney👩🏻‍🦰 (@RyanEGraney) December 25, 2020

Here’s an aerial video from Kelly Bolyard of the explosion in #Nashville. pic.twitter.com/OTQVdCBv7E

— Ryan Graney👩🏻‍🦰 (@RyanEGraney) December 25, 2020

Damage surveyed after an explosion in downtown Nashville on Christmas morning.

3 taken to hospitals, none critical, fire officials say.

Latest: https://t.co/wi123oN0m1

📷 Mark Humphrey / AP pic.twitter.com/YmakRnksG2

— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 25, 2020

From AP:

“It was a very loud explosion,” said Joseph Fafara. “We tried to rationalize it that it was an earthquake or something. But it was obvious it wasn’t an earthquake.” He said he traveled to Tennessee with his family on Christmas because the state has looser COVID-19 restrictions than Philadelphia.

Fafara went outside to look at the damage but police barricades had already been put in place.

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 says he says he heard gun fire 15 minutes before the explosion rocked his building. 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.

Fortunately, at least so far, the number of injuries appear limited, likely because of the warning and the police getting people out of the area. At this point, police are only reporting three people injured, including two police officers. No one has life threatening injuries.