Texas Hotel Explosion Injures 21

In a dramatic incident on Monday afternoon, an explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Texas left 21 people injured and prompted evacuations, with initial indications pointing to a possible gas leak as the cause, according to ABC News.

According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, the Texas hotel explosion occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time, sending heavy debris across a block and causing significant damage.

The injured include employees from the Musume restaurant, which is housed within the hotel.

One person is reported to be in critical condition, with 14 others transported to area hospitals.

Fire department officials revealed that a gas leak was part of the incident, though it remains uncertain if it directly caused the Texas hotel explosion.

Craig Trojacek, spokesperson for the Fort Worth Fire Department, mentioned during a news conference, "We do know that there was some construction that was being done down at the restaurant. We're not 100% sure that that's where it actually started at this point in time."

Firefighters conducted rescues in the Texas hotel's basement, and a sweep revealed one person who was initially unaccounted for. The investigation into the incident's cause is ongoing.

Eyewitness Accounts and Restaurant Injuries

Eyewitness Cheila Sanchez from The Ashton Hotel, located approximately a block away, described the Texas hotel explosion as akin to a massive firework, per CNN.

The incident, she said, occurred around 3:20 PM, causing a sudden and intense disturbance.

Musume restaurant employees suffered injuries, and the restaurant, fortunately, closed during the explosion, provided updates on their stable condition via a Facebook statement.

Images from the scene depict debris scattered outside the Texas hotel, with sections of the building's façade visibly torn off.

Despite the extensive damage, there is no current indication that the incident is of a criminal nature, as reported by a federal law enforcement source.

Reyne Telles, Fort Worth Chief Communications Officer, noted the presence of a plume of smoke visible above high-rises and scattered debris around city hall.

Search and Rescue Operations and Hotel Background

Later in the day, fire department spokesperson Trojacek informed the public that 26 hotel rooms were occupied during the Texas hotel explosion, NBCDFW noted.

A thorough search concluded at approximately 5:30 p.m., with no additional victims found. The stability of the building is set to be assessed post-search and rescue.

As of 6 p.m., the number of injured rose from 11 to 21, with varying degrees of severity. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported.

The explosion took place within the W.T. Waggoner Building, a historic 20-story tower constructed over a century ago, currently serving as the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel.

The building's history, initially housing the National Bank of Commerce in 1920, underwent restoration in 1985 and transformation into a hotel in 2019.

Fire officials acknowledged ongoing construction at the site, but the exact nature and potential contribution to the Texas hotel explosion remain undetermined.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fort Worth hotel explosion: Witnesses describe 'loud, violent explosion' that injured 11 - From FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth