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(CNN) – Authorities believe an explosion on Christmas morning in downtown Nashville was an intentional act, according to a Metro Nashville police spokesman.
In a brief news conference Friday morning, spokesman Don Aaron said the department’s dangerous devices unit was heading downtown in response to a call about a suspicious vehicle when there was a “significant” explosion related to that vehicle, around 6:30 am.
“We believe the explosion was an intentional act,” Aaron said.
Three people have been transported to hospitals from the scene, but none are in critical condition, according to Nashville Fire Department spokesman Joseph Pleasant.
Investigate explosion in Nashville
Several agencies, both local and federal, including the FBI and ATF, are investigating the incident, Aaron said. Police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol have closed the area for investigation. Access from the interstate through the immediate area will be restricted, he said.
Police previously tweeted that the blast took place outside of 166 2nd Avenue N., downtown.
Previously, Nashville Mayor John Cooper told CNN that he was “aware of an explosion” and was heading to the scene.
“I know that the emergency services are asking for our help, from all our specialists, to investigate the cause of the explosion and I am sure that more information will be published soon,” Cooper said.
The mayor added that the explosion occurred on 2nd Avenue, on the edge of the tourist and hotel district of this Tennessee city in an old and historic part of the city.
Images from CNN affiliate WTVF showed smoke from a street fire, with debris in the area.
Witness Buck McCoy told CNN that the explosion happened right in front of his home. On the street, he said he saw three cars that were “completely engulfed” in flames.
“There were trees everywhere, glass everywhere,” he said, adding that he saw some people who were not injured but appeared to be in shock.
CNN’s Paul P. Murphy contributed to this report.
