FORT WORTH, TX — A powerful explosion rocked a historic hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, shattering windows, scattering substantial portions of debris onto downtown streets, and causing injuries to 21 individuals, with one reported to be in critical condition, authorities confirmed.
The blast, occurring at the 20-story Sandman Signature Hotel, ejected doors and entire sections of walls onto the streets. Rescue teams responded to several individuals trapped in the hotel's basement. Fifteen injured individuals were transported to hospitals, with six classified as in "semi-critical" condition by MedStar, the provider of ambulances and emergency medical services in Fort Worth.
Fire officials reported no missing persons but stated intentions to continue scouring the building. The explosion unfolded amid ongoing construction activities at the hotel, with officials attributing the incident to a suspected gas leak.
Situated near the bustling Fort Worth Convention Center, the Sandman Signature Hotel's explosion prompted authorities to advise the public to steer clear of the vicinity. The explosion's precise origin within the building, which was undergoing renovations, remains under investigation.
Witnesses recalled hearing a loud crack, followed by an unsettling wall of dust and debris engulfing the surroundings. Onlookers encountered injured individuals amid the chaos, sensing an overwhelming smell of natural gas, prompting concern and a swift decision to move away from the site.
Close Shot of Fall Out
Credit: Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0W…)
Firefighters and emergency crews grappled with navigating through layers of wreckage that covered downtown streets, with gaping holes visible in the ground and remnants of the hotel dispersed across the area. The scene's perilous conditions hindered immediate access to certain parts of the building, complicating rescue efforts.
Technicians from Atmos Energy, a Dallas-based natural gas distributor, were on-site, alongside federal and state investigators, examining the explosion's cause. Northland Properties Co., the hotel's Canadian owner, pledged cooperation with officials to determine the incident's cause and assess the extent of damage.
The Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel, previously known as the "Waggoner Building" upon its 1920 construction, holds 245 rooms and stands as a registered historic place since 1979, honoring cattle rancher and oilman William Thomas Waggoner.
San Angelo Live will continue to provide updates on this story based on ongoing information collected.
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