KTVT/Ch. 11
A suspected gas leak caused a massive explosion downtown at 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, rocking nearby buildings and blowing out the southwest side of the historic 20-story W.T. Waggoner Building, recently repurposed as Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel at 810 Houston St.
Twenty-one were reported injured, including one in critical and two in serious condition. The Fort Worth Fire Department said this morning that search and rescue operations occurred through the night and continued this morning with specially trained canines. No additional victims have been located.
Debris, which included large slabs of concrete, piled high on Eighth Street directly across from the newly renovated Thompson’s Bookstore. All nearby bars and restaurants, which includes Thompson’s Bookstore, Archibald, Basic Bar, and Al Dente Italian Trattoria are presumed closed until further notice.
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Street closures downtown Tuesday morning included Throckmorton St. closed from W. Seventh to W. Ninth streets; Houston Street from from W. Seventh to W. Ninth streets; and W. Eighth Street from Throckmorton to Main streets.
"I am deeply proud of the swift and professional response from our FW and area first responders today," Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I am humbled by the offers from our state leadership to support our city. Pray for the recoveries of the injured."
Northland Properties
The front entrance of the Sandman Hotel.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare said his office was gathering information. A source within the city said a division of the Texas Division of Emergency Management was on the way to the scene to investigate. Also, a unit of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives had arrived from Dallas. And U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Houston) said his state team is monitoring the situation.
"We continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to immediately deploy any additional personnel and resources needed to keep Texans in the area safe and out of harm's way," Gov. Greg Abbott said on Monday. "Cecilia and I ask all Texans to pray for those injured in the explosion, as well as those bravely responding to keep others safe."
A family reunification had been set up at the corner of Fifth and Throckmorton streets, officials said.
“Our thoughts are with the businesses and individuals impacted by today’s events in the heart of Fort Worth," said Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steven Montgomery in a statement. "The Chamber stands ready to support our community during this difficult time, offering guidance and resources to our members. The Sandman Signature Hotel, a valued member of the Fort Worth Chamber, has our full support in navigating through these challenging circumstances."
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the leak emanated from the hotel’s restaurant, Musume.
A man walking down the street said he was in the building on the second floor for a meeting when he smelled what he believed was natural gas, according to KTVT/Ch. 11. As he asked colleagues if they too sensed the smell, there was an explosion. Dust and smoke filled the room, the man said.
Those in the room rushed to the stairwell only to find that portion of the well had been blown out. They were able to jump the 5 or 6 feet to the next section and safely exit, according to a KTVT reporter on the scene.
When the building opened in 1920, it was one of the tallest buildings in all of the Southwest.
The general contractor was C.S. Lambie & Co. of Denver, and the cost of construction was $1 million.
Monday’s event was reminiscent of the 1986 gas explosion in the southern portion of downtown.
Twenty-two people were injured, though none seriously, in gas explosion that leveled the former Frank Kent Cadillac dealership at 100 E. Lancaster and triggered a five-alarm fire.
The explosion sent debris flying in every direction and injured some motorists traveling on Interstate 30, which then ran through downtown over Lancaster.
A construction contractor struck a gas line that caused the explosion, which shattered windows up to seven blocks away.
An artist's rendering of the W.T. Waggoner Building in 1920.
