Newly-obtained 911 calls from the scene of the Sandman Signature Hotel explosion in downtown Fort Worth, Texas provided a look into the chaotic moments following the destructive blast that injured 21.
“We’re at the Sandman hotel, and we’re stuck in an elevator,” Angela Cockroft said in the 911 audio, obtained by FOX 4. “Please hurry.”
“OK, I got fire on the way,” the 911 operator responded. “I’m trying to get your address real quick.”
“It’s 800 Houston Street or something like that,” the woman said.
EXPLOSION AT FORT WORTH HOTEL INJURES AT LEAST 21 PEOPLE, GAS LEAK ‘LIKELY’ CAUSE
Debris is seen scattered on the street as police investigate a “major incident” at a Fort Worth hotel.
During the conversation between the 911 operator and Cockroft, who was stuck in the elevator along with her husband, Scott, the elevator is heard beeping.
Angela is heard instructing her husband, Scott, to use his shirt to cover his nose and mouth as smoke poured into the elevator following the explosion.
“Honey, use your shirt to filter the smoke,” Angela said on the 911 audio.
Debris is seen scattered on the street as police investigate a “major incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX 4 KDFW)
“You said there was smoke in the –,” the 911 operator asked.
“Yes, in the elevator,” Angela interjected.
Moments later, the doors opened, and it was time for the couple to make their escape.
“Let’s go down the stairs! Get out of the elevator,” she said in the call.
Major damage can be seen to a hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. (FOX 4 KDFW)
Debris is seen scattered on the street as police investigate a “major incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX 4 KDFW)
Another 911 caller told operators that all the windows were blown out of the 121-year-old hotel.
“Yo, there’s a big explosion here at the Sandman Hotel,” said one caller. “Big, big loud bang.”
Many callers did not know what exploded.
“So it looks like the first floor, all of the windows are blown out,” said another caller. “I see maybe one or two, maybe police cars, but I don’t see any fire, but it was a flat-out explosion.”
Debris is seen scattered on the street as police investigate a “major incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX 4 KDFW)
In nearby buildings, evacuation orders quickly changed to shelter in place.
“I wouldn’t go outside, I would stay inside your building,” the 911 dispatcher is heard saying.
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On Monday, Jan. 8, the explosion at the historic hotel injured 21 people, including one woman critically.
The basement of the hotel is where the most seriously injured victims were and is the subject of the investigation.
The fire department said the explosion was “likely caused” by a gas leak, but they were unable to officially confirm the cause. The department said construction was going on in the building at the time of the explosion.
It happened at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday near W. 7th Street and Houston Street, at the Sandman Hotel.
Debris is seen scattered on the street as police investigate a “major incident” at a Fort Worth hotel. (FOX 4 KDFW)
Pictures sent to FOX 4 showed the windows of the bottom floor of the hotel blown out.
Debris was scattered all over the street outside, including slabs of concrete and piles of rubble. The images also showed a giant gaping hole in the sidewalk next to the building.
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Several people reported hearing a loud noise in the area, others reported smelling natural gas.
Multiple lawsuits have already been filed on victims’ behalf, FOX 4 reported.
