Blast at Opryland Hotel Does $750,000 in Damage

(AP) NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Damage from a gas explosion at the sprawling Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville is estimated at $750,000.

No injuries were reported after the Tuesday night blast, though 5,000 guests had to leave for up to seven hours.

The hotel resumed normal operations Wednesday at 7 a.m. Fire officials said the explosion was caused by a gas leak that ignited inside a mechanical room on the first floor in the convention center away from guest rooms.

There was major damage to an escalator, walls and ceiling. The blast was so strong it damaged ceiling tiles on the third floor.

The hotel sits next to the Grand Ole Opry House, the heart of Nashville’s country music scene.