Fort Worth, Texas – Emergency crews responded to a gas main rupture near the site of an explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel earlier this month, prompting an investigation by Fort Worth police, fire, and Atmos Energy.
According to Craig Trojacek, a public information officer for the Fort Worth Fire Department, crews were dispatched to the area of 7th and Commerce Streets after reports of a vapor gas leak. This incident occurred in close proximity to the recent explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel.
The Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed that construction crews working on a gas main had caused the rupture. Craig Trojacek emphasized that this was a scheduled pipe replacement by Atmos that was unrelated to the previous explosion. The leak was quickly addressed, and the gas was shut off.
Although the incident prompted some nearby businesses to self-evacuate, the Fort Worth Fire Department reassured the public that there was no immediate threat to the surrounding area. The department monitored air quality inside nearby establishments and found no issues, with the assistance of strong winds helping to dissipate the gas smell.
The rupture was located less than half a mile away from the site of the hotel explosion, which left 21 people injured, with one woman still recovering in the burn unit of Parkland Health in Dallas. The cause of the blast is still under investigation, with Atmos Energy stating that there was no indication of their system’s involvement in the explosion.
Fort Worth Fire officials expressed confidence that natural gas was involved in the explosion, as they continued to investigate the structure from the inside.
As the investigation continues, it’s crucial for authorities to conduct thorough assessments and ensure the safety of the surrounding areas.