This post has been updated to reflect new information regarding casualties.
Emergency officials have responded to a major explosion at a hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, according to multiple reports.
Footage and photos of the incident circulated on Twitter, showing a chaotic aftermath with what appears to be significant damage to the Sandman Signature Hotel. Large debris and pieces of the building could be seen scattered about the street directly in front of the location, and emergency responders were on site. (RELATED: Customer Files Lawsuit Against Dunkin’ Over Exploding Toilet, Court Documents Allege: REPORT)
🚨#BREAKING: Significant Explosion has taken place at a Hotel with mass casualty incident declared
📌#FortWorth | #Texas
Currently, numerous authorities and other law enforcement personnel are on the scene of a significant gas explosion at the Sandman Signature hotel in… pic.twitter.com/63bd2c7qnb
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 8, 2024
The Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) confirmed in an online statement the explosion at the hotel went off at around 3:30 p.m. The FWFD, who is leading the investigation, believes that the explosion was likely cause by a gas leak, however, it is not confirmed as the investigation is ongoing.
“There is a smell of gas here in downtown. We’re not sure if the smell of gas was caused from the explosion and the fire itself or if that’s what caused the explosion. But that’s what we’re looking at,” FWFD Public Informations Officer Craig Trojacek stated, according to NBC DFW.
While authorities originally stated 11 people were taken to a nearby hospital, with one in critical condition and two sustaining serious injuries, the injury has increased to 21 people, according to an updated press statement. Serious condition numbers have jumped from two to four people, and 14 are currently in minor condition, according to NBC DFW.
The fire department has also found a person previously declared missing, a release from authorities stated. (RELATED: Four Killed In Michigan House Explosion)
5PM UPDATE:
– 3:30PM explosion at Sandman Hotel (810 Houston St)
– There is a gas leak in part with this incident but can’t confirm it caused explosion
– 11 patients (1 critical/2 serious); 1 person still missing
– FD extinguishing fire/evacuating building#FWDowntownAlert— Fort Worth Fire Department (@FortWorthFire) January 8, 2024
Trojacek stated that 26 rooms at the Sandman Signature Hotel had been occupied during the explosion which led emergency crews to search the building around 5:30 p.m., NBC DFW reported. With no additional people found, the FWFD informations officer stated that the stability of the hotel would be assessed following the search and rescue effort, the outlet reported.
Around 6 p.m. Trojeck and MedStar Ambulance’s Matt Zavadsky has released the increased number of injuries, with Zavadsky stating that 20 people had been either treated on site or sent to a local hospital, NBC DFW reported.
A witness, Jason Allen, told CBS Texas he had been at the hotel during the explosion, describing a smell of natural gas prior to the incident. Allen recalled he had asked his teammates if they smelled “natural gas,” emphasizing the scent wasn’t strong but appeared to come from beneath them, according to CBS News.
Following the explosion, Allen stated the whole second floor had filled with dust and smoke before he exited the hotel from a stairwell.
Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz posted a statement online in response to the incident, stating he would be “closely monitoring the developing situation.”
“My state team and I are closely monitoring the developing situation in downtown Ft. Worth following the gas explosion at a local hotel. Please avoid the area until authorities deem it safe,” Cruz stated. “We are grateful for the first responders who were on the scene of this accident.”
The Sandman Signature Hotel has additionally released a statement notifying that they are “working closely with authorities” in order to “understand the origin of the event,” according to NBC DFW.
“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 is our priority. We are working with those who have been injured to fully support them at this time,” the hotel stated.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area for now. The family reunification area is located downtown at the Sundance Square, according to a FWFD update.
Multiple agencies are on site, with no fatalities reported.