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Fort Worth emergency officials told NBC 5 it could be months before the cause of the Sandman Signature Hotel explosion is finally determined.
An explosion at a downtown hotel in January injured 21 people. The city is currently setting up a $250,000 relief fund for businesses that continue to be affected by the explosion.
Barricades and chain-link fences still block the road on West 8th Street in downtown Fort Worth.
They still bear the scars of January 8, when disaster struck across the street.
“It’s been very stressful,” said La Creemian owner Lisa Jackson. “It’s been hard to look out and see. It’s a constant reminder of what everyone has been through.”
That same day, an explosion occurred at the Sandman Signature Hotel, injuring 21 people and leaving devastation in downtown Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Fire Department investigators told NBC 5 that the explosion was initially believed to be related to natural gas, but an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause.
After 11 weeks, waist 8th The street remains closed for the investigation, which is currently being led by Northland Properties, the company that owns the hotel.
“It was devastating for us,” said Cowtown Segway owner Donny Voklizas. “I actually had to find a part-time job because I couldn’t make any money without touring.
After months of watching some of their regular customers come through the door, some West 8th Businesses face the possibility of closing permanently.
“We’ve all suffered in different ways,” Jackson said. “The loss of income, the uncertainty of what was going to happen to us was really at the forefront.”
Business owners turned to the city of Fort Worth for help and received a potential lifeline this week.
The city’s Community Development Corporation approved a $250,000 recovery fund for businesses on West 8th Street.
“It’s been a while since my heart smiled,” Jackson said. “I said we have hope.”
NBC 5 reached out to Northland Properties, the owner of the Sandman Hotel, to ask if the cause of the explosion has been determined and when the investigation will conclude.
A spokesperson for Northland Properties said: “As we proceed with planning for the next stage, it has become clear that the rebuilding process will take time, meaning it is unlikely that the hotel will reopen in the coming months. It means that.” statement. “We will continue to provide updates as they become available.”
Businesses across the street from the hotel told NBC 5 they still need to bring in more people, but the relief fund brings a light at the end of the tunnel for the first time since Jan. 8.
“We were in tears the whole time,” Vokrisas said. “And last night was the first night I actually cried tears of joy thinking there was going to be some help for us.”
A Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson told NBC 5 that the department expects a full report on the explosion to be ready by June.
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