Chaos erupted in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday afternoon when an explosion ripped through the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel. Initially mistaken for a structure fire, the blast shortly after 3:30 p.m. left 21 people injured, raising concerns about a potential gas leak.

Firefighters arriving on the scene were met with a surreal tableau. Debris, including insulation and shattered windowpanes, littered the surrounding streets. Aerial footage revealed sections of the building’s first and second floors obliterated, window frames dangling precariously. The pungent smell of gas hung heavy in the air, fueling speculation about the cause.

“It was absolute mayhem,” admitted Craig Trojacek, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Fire Department. “We received multiple calls about an explosion just after the initial reports of a fire.” While he confirmed the gas smell, Trojacek remained cautious about attributing the blast to it outright, emphasizing the ongoing investigation.

The initial tally of 11 injured quickly climbed to 21 over the following hours. Among them, one individual remained in critical condition, four sustained serious injuries, and the rest suffered minor wounds. Authorities assured the public that no further victims were found as of Tuesday morning, and room-to-room searches were conducted to ensure everyone’s safety.

One harrowing account came from Adam Woods, a hotel valet who narrowly escaped the blast’s devastation. “I just saw smoke everywhere,” he recounted to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, still visibly shaken. “I was literally seconds away from turning down the street when it boomed. It could’ve been me.”

In the wake of the explosion, a two-block radius around the hotel was cordoned off as authorities worked to secure the scene and assess the damage. All Tarrant County offices in downtown Fort Worth remained closed Tuesday, underscoring the severity of the incident and its impact on the city.

While the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel now stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of normalcy. As search and rescue efforts continue, the community awaits answers and grapples with the aftermath of this unsettling event that ripped through the heart of their city.