Nearly two dozen people were injured after an explosion at a historic hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, Monday afternoon.
According to Fort Worth Fire Department, multiple 911 calls were received for a fire at the Sandman Hotel shortly after 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival, FFWD determined an explosion had occurred and evacuated nearby areas.
As of 6:30 p.m., FFWD reported 21 injuries with no fatalities. Many of the victims received minor injuries, one person is in critical condition, and four are in serious, but not life-threatening, condition. FFWD added that the fire has been extinguished and that they are still searching for potential victims or survivors.
At 9:00 p.m., as part of its final update of the night, FDFW announced that “the search will continue throughout the night to ensure no one is captured” and that the reunification center at 200 5th St. that was set up earlier in the day for those trying to find loved ones is closed.
Firefighters added that there were “no public safety concerns for anyone in the city center” in connection with the explosion.
Explosion in Fort Worth, Texas.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
While the incident is still under investigation, FFWD said it “has the characteristics of a gas explosion.”
According to local media FOX 4, the explosion occurred at the WT Wagoner building. It was recently renovated into the Sandman Hotel at Houston and West 7th Streets, less than half a mile from Sundance Square.
“There’s a gas smell here downtown. We’re not sure if the gas smell was caused by the explosion and the fire itself or if that’s what caused the explosion. But that’s what we’re looking at,” said Fort Worth Fire Public Information Officer Craig Trojacek.
“We haven’t made a 100 percent decision, but we want to clarify that this was some kind of gas explosion,” Trojacek continued, responding to reports that the explosion came from a sushi restaurant inside the hotel. “We’re still working out the details of that.”
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Mike Vanca was staying at the hotel, but was not inside when the explosion occurred. He was in a nearby office and was still feeling the shock wave from the explosion.
“[I was on the] the seventh floor, and the building was shaking like someone slapped a hand on it,” he told FOX 4. “So it was very loud and very violent.”
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Earlier in the evening, the mayor of Fort Worth Mattie Parker he thanked the city’s emergency services for their courage and quick reaction.
“I am deeply proud of the quick and professional response of our FW and local emergency services today. I am humbled by the offers of our state leadership to support our city. Keep watching @FortWorthFire for updates and pray for the recovery of the injured,” she wrote on Twitter.
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