Twenty-one injured in Sandman Signature Fort Worth Hotel Explosion on Monday

The Sandman Signature Fort Worth Hotel exploded in downtown Fort Worth on Monday afternoon, injuring several individuals, according to reports. 

The former W.T. Waggoner Building was acquired almost five years ago to become the Sandman, a 20-story hotel with 1,500 square feet of meeting space, CandysDirt.com reported in 2019. The hotel opened in March of last year. 

Emergency responders initially reported that 11 people were injured, including one critically and two seriously injured. The toll later climbed to 21 injured. It was unclear how many were hospitalized.

The structure at 810 Houston St. has 245 guest rooms and also houses the sushi restaurant Musume, according to the Fort Worth Report. Windows were blown out of the first and second stories of the building. NBC DFW reported that a natural gas leak is suspected as the cause of the explosion. It was later reported by the Dallas Morning News that the gas leak may have occurred in the sushi restaurant in the basement of the building, which was undergoing construction. 

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker issued a brief statement around 4:45 p.m. 

“There has been an explosion incident in downtown Fort Worth this afternoon, and every Fort Worth emergency response agency is on hand responding,” Parker said. “We will provide more information as available. My heart and prayers are with those who were injured as we continue managing response.” 

Authorities asked the public Monday afternoon to avoid the area. 

CandysDirt.com will update this developing story as more information becomes available.