The Fort Worth Fire Department says gas was connected to the explosion at the Sandman Hotel, but hasn’t said it was the cause.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A year after the Sandman Hotel exploded in downtown Fort Worth, the developer says guests may be able to return to the building as soon as the end of the year.
Investigators, however, have still not determined a cause for the blast.
In a statement, Northland Communications said its crews have completed clean-up and removal of debris and begun the restoration process.
“All going well, it is our hope that the hotel will be reopened for business by the end of 2025,” a spokesperson said. “We are eternally grateful for the understanding, patience, and unwavering encouragement that has been shown to our team members and those injured last January.”
The street outside the damaged building has been partially reopened and plywood covers the gaping holes where the blast ripped through the hotel, but questions remain about the explosion’s cause.
“The day of is not a whole lot different from where we’re at right now,” said Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek. “We do know gas played some part in this. We’re not really sure if gas was the result or the reason behind it.”
He said FWFD investigations turned the investigation over to the hotel owner after it determined there was no criminal activity involved. There were more than half a dozen lawsuits filed in the days after the fire and attorney-funded investigators are now involved in determining the cause.
Business owners operating across the street from the blast — some of whom feared they would have the close for good after the explosion — said there has been some improvement in their business.
“Gradually and slowly, things started to get better, but not like it was before,” said Lisa Jackson, who owns La’Creamian. “Everything was blocked off, so my customers didn’t have access to me.”
She said she felt on edge coming into work Monday, the one-year mark since the blast.
“I was not expecting that,” she said.
But Jackson said she still has hope her business will continue to thrive.
“I’m convinced we’re going to make it through,” she said.