Newly obtained 911 calls from the scene of the explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, reveal the chaotic moments after the devastating explosion that injured 21 people.
“We're at the Sandman Hotel and we're stuck in the elevator,” Angela Cockroft said in the 911 audio. Get it on FOX4. “Please hurry.”
“Okay, there's a fire on the way,” the 911 operator replied. “I'm trying to get your address quickly.”
“800 Houston Street or something like that,” the woman said.
Fort Worth hotel explosion injures at least 21, gas leak 'probably' caused
Debris has been seen strewn across the street as police investigate a “serious incident” at a Fort Worth hotel.
During a conversation between the 911 operator and Cockroft, who was trapped in the elevator with her husband Scott, a beep was heard coming from the elevator.
As smoke poured into the elevator after the explosion, Angela could be heard telling her husband, Scott, to cover his nose and mouth with his shirt.
“Honey, use your shirt to filter the smoke,” Angela said in the 911 audio.
Debris has been seen strewn across the street as police investigate a “serious incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX4KDFW)
the 911 operator asked, “You said there was smoke inside.”
“Yes, in the elevator,” Angela interjected.
Soon the door opens and it's time for the couple to escape.
“Let's go down the stairs! Get off the elevator,” she said over the phone.
There is extensive damage to a hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. (FOX4KDFW)
Debris has been seen strewn across the street as police investigate a “serious incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX4KDFW)
Another 911 caller told the operator that all the windows in the 121-year-old hotel were blown out.
“Hey, there's a big explosion here at the Sandman Hotel,” one caller said. “A loud, loud sound.”
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Many of the callers had no idea what caused the explosion.
Another caller said, “It looks like all the windows on the first floor have been blown out.'' “You could see maybe one or two, maybe a police car, but you couldn't see any fire, but it was a complete explosion.”
Debris has been seen strewn across the street as police investigate a “serious incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX4KDFW)
Evacuation orders for nearby buildings were quickly changed to shelter-in-place orders.
“I wouldn't go outside. I would stay inside the building,” a 911 caller can be heard saying.
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On Monday, January 8, an explosion at a historic hotel injured 21 people, including one woman.
The basement of the hotel, where the most seriously injured victims were located, is the subject of an investigation.
Fire officials said the explosion was “likely caused” by a gas leak, but the cause could not be officially confirmed. According to the police, construction work was underway inside the building at the time of the explosion.
The incident happened Monday around 3:30 p.m. at the Sandman Hotel near W. 7th Avenue and Houston Street.
Debris has been seen strewn across the street as police investigate a “serious incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX4KDFW)
Photos sent to FOX 4 showed windows on the hotel's bottom floor being blown out.
Debris, including concrete slabs and piles of rubble, was scattered across the road outside. Images also showed a large hole in the sidewalk next to the building.
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Several people reported hearing loud noises in the area, and others reported smelling natural gas.
FOX 4 reported that multiple lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of the victims.
