A Fort Worth, Texas hotel was the scene of an explosion on Monday that resulted in at least 11 injuries and one missing person, who crews were still searching for hours after the incident.
The Fort Worth Police Department reported that they were working a major incident in the downtown portion of the city and advised people to avoid the area, though it was later revealed by the city's fire department that an explosion happened at the Sandman Hotel.
Fort Worth Fire Department Public Information Officer Craig Trojacek said 11 people were injured from the explosion, with one person in critical condition, two listed in serious condition and the rest with minor injuries. He added that nine people were transported to area hospitals.
The fire department said the explosion was "likely caused" by a gas leak, but they were unable to officially confirm the cause. The department said construction was going on in the building at the time of the explosion.
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It happened at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday near W. 7th Street and Houston Street, at the Sandman Hotel.
Pictures sent to Fox 4 showed the windows of the bottom floor of the hotel blown out.
Debris was scattered all over the street outside, including slabs of concrete and piles of rubble. The images also showed a giant gaping hole in the sidewalk next to the building.
Several people reported hearing a loud noise in the area, others reported smelling natural gas.
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Trojacek said the initial call at about 3:30 p.m. was for a structure fire alarm, but then multiple calls were made of some type of explosion. He said there is a smell of gas in the area and windows were blown out of the building.
Atmos Energy crews are on the scene and assisting with turning off gas in the surrounding area.
Fire crews are still searching for people inside the building, according to Trojacek.
The Fort Worth Fire Department posted to X that if anyone is looking for a loved one that may have been involved in the incident, they should go to Sundance Square at 420 Main Street.
