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Twenty-one people were injured after a suspected gas leak caused an explosion at a downtown Fort Worth hotel Monday afternoon.
Here’s what we know so far:
What happened?
An explosion about 3:30 p.m. erupted in the Sandman Signature Hotel, in the historic 20-story W.T. Waggoner Building in the 800 block of Houston Street, Fort Worth officials said.
The cause of the explosion has not been confirmed, but officials believe it may have stemmed from a gas leak. Fort Worth fire department spokesperson Craig Trojacek said the eruption happened while there was ongoing construction in Musume, a restaurant in the building.
Officials closed several nearby streets as first responders flocked to the area. A 4:30 p.m. post from Tarrant County’s X account said all downtown offices were closed.
Were any injuries reported?
Trojacek said at least 21 people were injured. No casualties were reported.
One person was in critical condition, four in serious condition and the rest had minor injuries, according to MedStar spokesperson Matt Zavadsky.
One person reported unaccounted for earlier in the afternoon was found, Trojacek said, adding that several people had to be extracted from the basement of the building. Everyone was accounted for as of 6 p.m.
Is there a reunification area?
A family reunification area for those looking for loved ones who may have been involved in the incident will be at Sundance Square, located at 420 Main St. near West 4th Street.
What is the Sandman Signature Hotel?
The 245-room hotel opened in March and is housed in the W.T. Waggoner building, which has been standing since 1920 and was once one of the tallest towers in the Southwest. Trojacek said 26 rooms were occupied in the hotel at the time of the blast.
Musume, an Asian fusion restaurant, is inside its basement. The restaurant was closed but had “limited employees working,” its owner Josh Babb told The Dallas Morning News. Three employees were sent to a hospital and were last listed as being stable.
Babb said restaurant staff were “devastated by the tragic explosion.”
Tom Gaglardi, owner of the Dallas Stars, is CEO of Northland Properties, which operates the Sandman Hotel Group. He said in a statement that emergency responders were working closely with authorities “to understand the origin of the event and the extent of the harm caused.”
How are officials responding?
Gov. Greg Abbott said state officials were staying in close contact with local leaders, partners and first responders in Fort Worth to help with emergency response efforts. He said officials were continually monitoring the situation and “stand ready to immediately deploy any additional personnel and resources” to keep residents safe.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said her heart and prayers are with those injured today, calling the explosion a “heartbreaking incident for the city” and for the recently renovated historic building.
Kristin Goodspeed, a spokeswoman for Atmos Energy, said about 6 p.m. that the gas “has been isolated to the affected area.” Officials from Fort Worth police and fire and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were investigating.