Explosion at Historic Fort Worth Hotel Injures 21, Sends Debris Flying

No fatalities have been reported though one person remains in critical condition following the blast

Nearly two dozen people were injured after an explosion at a historic hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas on Monday afternoon.

According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, multiple 911 calls were received for a fire at the Sandman Hotel shortly after 3:30pm. Upon arriving the FWFD assessed that an explosion had occurred and evacuated nearby areas.

By 6:30pm, the FWFD reported 21 people had been injured with no fatalities. Many of the victims suffered minor injuries, with one person is said to be in critical condition, and four in serious but not life-threatening condition. The FWFD added the fire had been extinguished and they were still searching for potential victims or survivors.

At 9:00pm, as part of its final update of the night, the FDFW announced that “search efforts will continue throughout the night to ensure no one is trapped" and that reunification center at 200 5th Street that had been set up earlier in the day for those attempting to locate loved ones had closed.

The fire department added that “there are no public safety concerns for anyone in the Downtown area” regarding the explosion. 

While the incident is still under investigation, the FWFD said it “has characteristics of a gas explosion.”

According to local outlet FOX 4, the explosion happened at the W.T. Waggoner Building. It had recently been renovated into the Sandman Hotel on Houston Street and West 7th, less than half a mile from Sundance Square.

"There is a smell of gas here in downtown. We're not sure if the smell of gas was caused from the explosion and the fire itself or if that's what caused the explosion. But that's what we're looking at," Craig Trojacek, the Public Information Officer for Fort Worth Fire, said.

"We have not made 100 percent determination, but we want to make it clear that this was some type of gas explosion," Trojacek continued, in response to reports that the blast originated from inside of a sushi restaurant inside the hotel. "We are still working on the details of that."

Related: Gas Pipeline Explosion Kills 2 Workers, Injures 2 More in Texas

Mike Vanca was staying at the hotel but was not inside when the explosion happened. He was at a nearby office and still felt the shockwave from the explosion.

"[I was on the] seventh floor, and the building shook like someone slapped the side of it with your hand," he told FOX 4. "So it was very loud and very violent."

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Earlier in the evening, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker thanked the city’s emergency responders for their bravery and quick response.

“I am deeply proud of the swift and professional response from our FW and area first responders today. I am humbled by the offers from our state leadership to support our city. Continue to watch @FortWorthFire for updates and pray for the recoveries of the injured,” she tweeted.

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