FORT WORTH, Texas — Officers and firefighters are responding to a Fort Worth hotel after there was a possible gas explosion on Monday afternoon.
Fort Worth Fire Department Public Information Officer Craig Trojacek said during a press conference that officers received a structure fire call at 810 Houston St. at 3:32 p.m., where the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel is located. After that, they received multiple calls about a type of explosion.
Trojacek said they are investigating to confirm if there was a gas leak as a strong smell of gas was reported downtown. But it’s unclear if the smell was caused by the explosion itself or if it caused the explosion.
He also said there are reports the explosion started in the restaurant of the hotel, Musume, and that there is some construction being done at the restaurant, but FWFD is not 100% sure where the explosion started at this time.
FWFD said in a tweet that that explosion was likely caused by a gas leak but are still waiting to confirm.
Fort Worth City Council Member Carlos Flores said in a Facebook post that there was a gas leak and an explosion on West 7th Street and Houston Street.
Officials have reported 21 injuries so far and no fatalities. Of the patients, only one was critical, four had serious injuries, and the rest suffered minor injuries. One hotel employee was missing but has been found, police say. However, during their search for the employee police also found another person amongst the debris.
Of the injured, 15 were taken to the hospital, and one person with minor injuries took themselves to the hospital. It’s unclear where exactly the injured were at the time of the explosion.
First responders are still searching throughout the building for any more victims, Trojacek said. They are still assessing the integrity of the building.
Atmos Energy is also on scene and released a statement saying their technicians responded to a call at the building at the request of FWFD.
“Gas has been isolated to the affected area, and we will continue to assist the Fort Worth Fire and Police Departments and all officials in support of their investigation,” Atmos said in a statement.
The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates oil and gas in Texas, also said in a statement they are sending an inspector to the scene of the explosion to investigate.
Police said they closed off a two-block radius around the hotel.
Mayor Mattie Parker said during a press conference at 6 p.m. that the building had just been recently renovated and reopened.
“It’s heartbreaking for Downtown Fort Worth, of course,” Parker said. “Our hearts and prayers are with the victims at area hospitals.”
David Brymer lives eight blocks away from the hotel and said he was in bed when the explosion went off.
“It shook my bed,” Brymer said.
He said he then made his way toward the site and could hear sirens nonstop.
“You could smell the gas in the air,” Brymer said. “I thought it was an earthquake.”
Brymer said he didn’t hear anything, just felt a strong shake.
“I hope the building doesn’t fall and hope everyone’s OK,” Brymer said.
Josh Babb, the co-founder of Musume, said all of the restaurants were devastated by the explosion at the hotel, the home of their restaurant.
“Luckily, Musume was closed during the time of the explosion, so we had no customers dining and limited employees working,” Babb said in a statement.
Three Musume employees were injured, Babb said, but are being treated at a hospital and are in stable condition.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
