The fire that broke out in a prominent parking garage near Nashville’s downtown library caused multiple vehicle explosions and a partial collapse of the structure early Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported.
The fire began before 2 a.m., drawing the Nashville Fire Department to the multi-story garage at the corner of 6th Avenue North and Commerce Street. The fire was located between the third and fourth floors, and parts of the fourth and fifth floors collapsed.
Eli Gilmore, a Nashville musician who lives in the apartment building next door, told the Associated Press that he heard loud explosions around 1:15 a.m.
“We were sitting around and I just looked over and saw the black smoke coming out of the garage, and then we just started hearing cars exploding, one after another,” Gilmore said. “We saw a floor crack and fall in. It’s been shooting sparks across the street.”
The nearby Renaissance Hotel was evacuated, and Nashville Public Library’s Main branch was closed for the day — and will remain closed through Sunday.
Investigators with the fire department are looking into the cause of the blaze, and say that early assessments don’t indicate foul play. The structural integrity is also being assessed.
The garage, owned by the Nashville Department of Transportation and operated by Nashville Downtown Partnership, services the library and offers monthly parking options, as well as serving the Renaissance. Two years ago, the garage closed for three weeks because of concerns over the safety of its structural integrity.
NDOT is asking residents who have cars or property stored at the garage to fill out a form with the Parking Management Company.
“I appreciate the quick work of Nashville Fire Department crews to get the fire under control and ensure safety for those nearby,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a statement. “We encourage patience as structural engineers from NDOT assess and determine the extent of the damage to the garage and any timeline for reopening.”
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