Gas leak causes explosion in Nashville

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NASHVILLE, June 20 (UPI) -- A gas leak caused an explosion at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, forcing the evacuation of 5,000 people, the Nashville Police Department said.

The explosion occurred in a mechanical room, damaging parts of the first and second floors, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported.

No major injuries were reported but one woman suffered a leg injury.

"This explosion was strong enough that it destroyed one of the escalators and blew upward through the first floor into the second floor," Nashville Fire Department spokesman Ricky Taylor said. "An area the size of a football field was affected. This is all internal. Nothing is visible from the outside of the building."

Guests were allowed to re-enter the hotel at 3 a.m. Wednesday. Investigators ruled out sabotage.