FORT WORTH, Texas – A suspected gas leak is believed to have caused a powerful explosion in downtown Fort Worth, injuring nearly two dozen people. The incident occurred at the historic Sandman Hotel, with investigations indicating that the blast originated in a sushi restaurant inside the hotel.
Fort Worth fire and utility crews worked tirelessly throughout the night, ensuring that there were no additional victims trapped beneath the rubble. Twenty-one people were injured in the explosion, with one person being critically injured and four others suffering serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The restaurant, Musume, was closed and under construction at the time of the explosion. However, rescuers found several people trapped there upon arrival at the scene. Three employees of the restaurant were among those injured.
The hotel has been completely evacuated since the explosion, and all missing people have been accounted for. The Fort Worth police, fire departments, and Atmos Energy crews are currently conducting investigations at the site.
“We want to make it clear that this was some type of gas explosion. We are still working on the details to see what caused that,” said Craig Trojack with the Fort Worth Fire Department. Atmos Energy has shut off all gas lines to the hotel and is looking into the exact cause.
The hotel is owned by the Canadian company Northland Properties, and its CEO is Tom Gaglardi, the owner of the Dallas Stars. The company has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.
In summary, a suspected gas leak at the historic Sandman Hotel in downtown Fort Worth led to a powerful explosion, resulting in injuries to nearly two dozen people. Investigations are ongoing, with the focus on determining the exact cause of the explosion.