FORT WORTH, Texas – The Sandman Hotel in downtown Fort Worth will be boarded up on Wednesday as crews prepare to clean up the aftermath of a massive explosion that occurred on Monday afternoon.
Emergency crews have completed their search for potential victims and are now focused on the cleanup process. Investigators are still working on determining the exact cause of the blast, which resulted in the collapse of the first two floors of the hotel.
According to Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis, the explosion is believed to have originated from a gas issue, although there were no reports of calls to 911 about problems near the hotel before the incident. Atmos Energy is working alongside first responders to determine whether the blast was caused by a gas leak.
A total of 21 people were injured in the explosion, with most sustaining minor injuries, while one woman remains in critical condition at the Parkland Hospital burn unit. The city’s structural engineers have deemed the area safe from additional collapse, allowing crews to begin clearing the debris.
In the wake of the explosion, guests who were evacuated from the hotel will be allowed to retrieve their belongings on Wednesday. Additionally, city leaders are expected to meet with event organizers to discuss potential adjustments to upcoming parade routes due to the incident.
The Sandman Hotel explosion has left a lasting impact, with emergency crews transitioning to the cleanup phase and investigators still working to determine the exact cause of the blast. A total of 21 people were injured, with most sustaining minor injuries, and one woman remaining in critical condition at the Parkland Hospital burn unit. The city is also expected to adjust parade routes for upcoming events in response to the incident.