Following Monday's explosion at a downtown Fort Worth hotel, Atmos Energy has dismissed the possibility that its gas system was involved. After rigorous safety checks, Atmos stated on Friday they found no issues with their equipment. The blast at the W.T. Waggoner Building resulted in injuries to 21 individuals, with one person currently battling burns at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, according to NBC DFW.
In light of Atmos Energy's clearance, attention has pivoted to the interior of an almost 104-year-old structure where a lawsuit has emerged in the wake of the explosion. Christopher Medearis, who sustained injuries while fleeing the blast, points fingers at Atmos Energy, the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Hotel, and the hotel's parent company Northland Properties. Medearis claims he "tripped, fell, and as a result suffered personal bodily injury", according to Audacy.
Moving forward, the Fort Worth Fire Department asserts its confidence that natural gas was a factor in the incident, yet the exact cause inside the building remains unidentified. "At this time, the Fort Worth Fire Department can confidently say that it appears that the events from Jan. 8 were not triggered from outside of the structure," officials explained. An internal probe, with the Fire Department at the helm, continues diligently to pin down the sources, per NBC DFW.
Amid the ongoing investigation and the recent lawsuit, both establishments face scrutiny over the safety of their premises and the adequacy of their gas leak detection. Fire Chief Jim Davis expressed the focus on narrowing down the scale of the investigation area, stating, “Although this is still in the early stages of the investigation, this is a significant development and provides us the ability to focus on a smaller footprint in order to try and determine a cause of this tragic event for all involved”. The public is reminded that in case of a suspected gas leak, the procedure remains to leave the area and contact emergency services and Atmos Energy's hotline, as cited by NBC DFW.
