What we know about Sandman Signature Hotel explosion, injuries in downtown Fort Worth

At least 21 people were injured in an explosion and fire at the Sandman Signature Hotel in downtown Fort Worth on Monday afternoon. Here’s what we know so far about the injured, damages and ongoing investigation.

What caused the explosion?

A Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson said at news conference Monday evening that “this was some type of gas explosion” but the exact cause remains under investigation Tuesday. The fire department’s arson unit, the ATF, the FBI, and technicians with gas company Atmos Energy were among the agencies investigating.

There was a strong smell of natural gas, but it was initially unknown whether the gas leak was the cause or happened as a result of the explosion, according to the fire department.

Construction was going on in the hotel building, but investigators haven’t yet determined if that was related to the explosion.

“Gas has been isolated to the affected area, and we will continue to assist the Fort Worth Fire and Police Departments and all officials in support of their investigation,” an Atmos spokesperson said Monday.

How many people were hurt?

No one was killed in the explosion. As of Tuesday, authorities had accounted for 21 injured people, some of whom were trapped in the building and rescued by firefighters, including from the restaurant in the basement.

Of those injured people, 14 were transported by ambulance to hospitals and one person self-transported to a hospital. One person was in critical condition, four in serious condition and the rest had minor injuries, authorities said.

In an update Tuesday morning, the fire department said search and rescue operations are continuing this morning with specially trained dogs, but no additional victims have been located.

How much damage is there?

The explosion blew out windows and walls on the first and second floors of the 20-story hotel, located in the historic Waggoner Building at 810 Houston St., sending debris into the streets. There was also a fire, which firefighters had extinguished by Monday evening.

Authorities are assessing the structural integrity of the 102-year-old building.

Debris was scattered hundreds of feet around the front of the building and out the back toward Throckmorton Street. The fire department shut down streets and buildings in a two-block radius.

The Sandman Signature Hotel opened less than a year ago and includes a basement level restaurant.

The explosion appeared to be in the kitchen of Musume restaurant, according to Josè Mira, 49, of Dallas, who works there. Mira was covered in dust and had a cut on his arm. He said he had to climb out of the rubble.

“Everything fell, the walls, the floor, everything,” he said. “It’s a miracle I’m alive.”

A representative of the restaurant said that no construction was going on there. The Asian fusion restaurant, which opened last summer, was closed at the time of the explosion and normally opens at 5 p.m. for dinner.

Musume’s co-founder Josh Babb, said in a statement, “All of us at Musume are devastated by the tragic explosion that took place this afternoon at the Sandman Signature Hotel, which is the home of our restaurant. Luckily, Musume was closed during the time of the explosion, so we had no customers dining and limited employees working. Three Musume employees were injured, but are being treated in the hospital and in stable condition.”

Asked whether anyone at the restaurant smelled gas before the explosion, its co-founder wrote in an email: “No, not that we know of, at least at this point.”

Babb wrote that he is not sure of the extent of the damage to the restaurant. “We have not been allowed to go inside or survey damage incurred as the building and site are under investigation.”

Which businesses are closed downtown?

At a 9:45 a.m. press conference Tuesday, police department spokesperson Officer Jimmy Pollozani said some streets in the area were still closed, including Throckmorton and Houston from W. 7th to W. 9th, and W. 8th Street from Throckmorton to Main. Anything inside that area is considered a hot zone and potentially unsafe, according to Pollozani.

“This is going to take several days,” Pollozani said of the cleanup efforts.

Businesses inside the hot zone area will remain closed, he said. Those outside of that vicinity can use their discretion on whether to remain open. Employees who work in the area can call 817-392-8866 for more information.

Thompson’s Bookstore and The Archibald, are two bars located right next door to the Sandman Signature Hotel on Houston Street.

Everyone at Thompson’s is safe and accounted for as the venue plans to stay temporarily closed while city crews assess the situation, the bar posted to Facebook.

Thompson’s reopened last summer after a year of renovations to its three-story building.

Keith Arias was about a block and a half from The Archibald, 902 Houston St., on Monday afternoon when he heard the hotel explosion.

Arias, who co-owns the bar, said the initial boom sounded like a garbage truck dropping a dumpster on the ground.

“Then I felt and saw the aftermath and was like, ‘Oh my God’,” Arias said.

The Archibald had a few staffers inside the building when the explosion occurred, who were gearing up to open the bar at 4 p.m. Everyone who was working at the bar is safe and accounted for, Arias said.

As far as damage to The Archibald, Arias believes everything is in order but hasn’t been able to get back inside the building since the explosion.

The Archibald will be closed Tuesday as crews work in the area surrounding the hotel explosion.

Have there been previous explosions downtown?

Two in 1986.

On March 12, 1986, a contractor’s backhoe struck a major natural gas pipeline across the south end of downtown, causing a giant blast and fire that completely leveled the former Frank Kent Cadillac dealership on what’s now the southeast corner of East Lancaster Avenue and Main Street.

The 22 people injured included not only workers but also passing motorists on Lancaster and on Interstate 30, then an elevated freeway that ran above Lancaster.

Only nine months later, on Dec. 7, 1986, an explosion in the wee hours of a Sunday morning leveled a quarter-block and six businesses around Santini’s Sub Shop, 305-A Throckmorton St. Only one person was injured due to the hour. That was a guest in the Worthington hotel, which reported 200 broken windows and $1 million in damage.

Will the Stock Show, MLK parades go on?

A Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo spokesman said Tuesday the organizers still hope to hold Saturday’s “All Western” Parade through downtown, but no decisions have been made.

The parade route passes the Sandman Signature Hotel, where Monday’s large explosion caused substantial damage to the 20-story tower. Multiple blocks around the hotel remain closed Tuesday.

”Our hope is that the parade will occur as planned while recognizing the importance of the on-going investigation,” the Stock Show spokesman said, “and the need to ensure the safety of parade spectators and participants.”

The organization said it would make an announcement about the parade, which includes 3,000 horses and officially kicks off the annual Stock Show events, as soon as decisions are made.

”(We) extend our support and concerns to those injured in the tragedy as well as the first responders who came to their rescue.”

Authorities also said no decision had been made yet about the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade and Rally that is scheduled for Monday.

This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 8:36 PM.

Amy McDaniel

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Amy McDaniel edits stories about criminal justice, breaking news and education for the Star-Telegram.