Sandman Hotel Renovations Underway In Fort Worth 7 Weeks Post-Blast
The first step to repair damage caused by a massive explosion at the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel is about to get underway.
A permit has been filed by First Onsite Property Restoration to do selective demolitions ahead of shoring, according to the Fort Worth Report. The shoring process involves installing a temporary support beam in the building so components can be replaced.
The Jan. 8 explosion in Downtown Fort Worth injured 21 people and destroyed part of the building’s ground floor. It remains unclear what caused the blast, though fire officials initially suspected a gas leak.
At least 10 lawsuits have been filed against Atmos Energy and the building’s owner, Northland Properties, though Atmos claims there is no indication its system was involved, according to the Fort Worth Report.
Northland Properties said in a statement that it is working with an engineer to confirm the structural integrity of the building, the outlet reported. It remains committed to restoring the property, though company executives said a reopening is unlikely in the near-term.
“We are encouraged by the community support during this challenging time and know that we all look forward to opening our doors again as soon as we can,” the statement said.
