An explosion at a hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, has resulted in at least 11 injuries and one missing person. The incident occurred on Monday, and emergency crews are still searching for the missing individual. The Fort Worth Police Department advised people to avoid the area as they worked to handle the major incident. The explosion took place at the Sandman Hotel, and the cause is believed to be a gas leak, although it has not been officially confirmed by the fire department.
According to Craig Trojacek, the Public Information Officer of the Fort Worth Fire Department, 11 people were injured in the explosion. One person is in critical condition, two are listed as serious, and the rest have minor injuries. Nine individuals have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. It was revealed that construction work was ongoing in the building at the time of the explosion.
The explosion occurred at around 3:30 p.m. near W. 7th Street and Houston Street, causing significant damage to the hotel. Pictures shared with Fox 4 showed the bottom floor windows blown out, debris scattered on the street, and a large hole in the sidewalk. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and detecting the smell of natural gas in the area.
Initially, the call to emergency services was for a structure fire alarm, but multiple calls were made regarding an explosion. Gas crews from Atmos Energy are on the scene, assisting with shutting off the gas in the surrounding area. Firefighters continue to search for any individuals who may still be inside the building.
For those seeking information about loved ones involved in the incident, the Fort Worth Fire Department has directed them to go to Sundance Square at 420 Main Street. The investigation into the explosion is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
