Gas Explosion at Historic Fort Worth Hotel Injures 21

(DailyDig.com) – Officials in the downtown area of Fort Worth, Texas, reported at least 21 injuries following an explosion that rocked the lower levels of a hotel on January 8.

Authorities are still working to determine the source of the blast, resulting in ongoing restrictions on public access in the area directly around the Sandman Signature Hotel.

According to MedStar, an emergency medical service in the region, spokesman Matt Zavadsky said that one individual was in a critical condition and four additional individuals were gravely hurt. The rest of the injured sustained minor wounds.

Even though the explosion no longer threatened the downtown area of Fort Worth’s public safety, the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) said on January 8 that workers would remain on the site throughout the night to search if there was anyone trapped after the disaster.

The initial report of a hotel fire came in at roughly 3:32 p.m. Central, according to Craig Trojacek, a representative with the FWFD. By then, the scent of gas spread over the downtown area of Fort Worth, and many reports of an explosion arrived.

Trojacek reports that utility personnel, state and federal investigators, and the FWFD are all collaborating to pinpoint the explosion’s precise origin. Initial indications pointed to a gas leak as the culprit. According to the fire department, no other casualties have been located, and the vicinity surrounding the hotel will continue to be blocked as of January 9th.

According to Trojacek, the building contained a restaurant that was undergoing construction when the explosion happened, although he did not say for sure if that was the origin.

Technicians were sent to the location following the FWFD’s request, according to Kristin Goodspeed from Atmos Energy. They will keep helping the FWFD, the police, and any other authorities with their inquiry. The gas has been contained in the afflicted region.

Greg Abbott, governor of Texas, said that he had spoken with local authorities in the aftermath of the explosion and was prepared to swiftly send in reinforcements to the region to ensure the safety of Texans.