An explosion occurred in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, resulting in nearly two dozen individuals sustaining injuries and substantial debris from a building scattering across the roadway in the heart of the downtown area.
A spokesperson for MedStar, the emergency medical services provider operating ambulances in the region, reported that at least 21 people were injured in the explosion at the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel. The injuries included one person in critical condition, four in serious condition, and others with minor injuries.
While fire officials suspect the blast was caused by a “some type of gas explosion,” they are still in the process of confirming the exact cause, according to Craig Trojacek, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Fire Department. Trojacek stated that investigators were actively determining the circumstances that led to the incident at the hotel, located in close proximity to both city hall and the city’s convention center.
Trojacek noted that emergency responders located an initially unaccounted-for individual, and firefighters successfully rescued people trapped in the basement. Although there were earlier reports suggesting the explosion might have occurred in a restaurant undergoing construction, Trojacek emphasized that it is not definitively confirmed as the origin.
As of 6 p.m., a secondary search of the hotel was in progress, with 26 rooms housing guests. The hotel issued a statement, expressing collaboration with first responders and a commitment to assisting those injured.
“Emergency responders are onsite, and we are working closely with the authorities to understand the origin of the event and the extent of the harm caused. The safety and well-being of our team members and guests are our priority. We are working with those who have been injured to fully support them at this time,” the statement read.
A woman at The Ashton Hotel, situated approximately a block away from the blast, described the sound as resembling a large firework explosion.
