MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (AP) - Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery was among law enforcement officials attending a conference in Nashville when an explosion forced the evacuation of their hotel.

The Baxter Bulletin reports (http://is.gd/k0wuv0) that Montgomery and his wife, Karen, were staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center for the National Sheriffs Association's annual meeting when the explosion happened Tuesday night.

No injuries were reported after the blast, which led to the evacuation of about 5,000 people.

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

Montgomery praised the work of hotel staff during the evacuation. He says he and other guests were bused to another location after the blast, but they were eventually allowed back in their rooms at about 4 a.m. Wednesday.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)