The Fort Worth Fire Department says gas was connected to the explosion at the Sandman Hotel, but is still unsure if it was the main cause.

Image Courtesy of WFAA

A year after the explosion at the Sandman Signature Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, the developer has indicated that guests might be able to return by the end of 2025. However, investigators have yet to identify the cause of the blast.

In a statement, Northland Communications announced that their teams have completed debris cleanup and have started the restoration process. A spokesperson expressed hope for reopening, stating, “All going well, it is our hope that the hotel will be reopened for business by the end of 2025.” They also expressed gratitude for the support and patience shown to both team members and those injured in January.

While the street outside the damaged hotel has partially reopened and plywood now covers the areas where the explosion caused significant destruction, uncertainty remains regarding what triggered the blast. Craig Trojacek, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Fire Department, noted, “The day of is not a whole lot different from where we’re at right now. We do know gas played some part in this. We’re not really sure if gas was the result or the reason behind it.”

The investigation has been handed over to the hotel owner after it was determined that no criminal activity was involved. In the wake of the explosion, more than half a dozen lawsuits have been filed, and attorney-funded investigators are now working to ascertain the cause.

Local business owners across from the explosion site expressed concerns about their futures following the incident but noted some improvement in their business since then.

Lisa Jackson, owner of La’Creamian, remarked, “Gradually and slowly, things started to get better, but not like it was before,” acknowledging that access issues had affected her customer base.

Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the blast, Jackson admitted feeling anxious returning to work but remains hopeful about her business’s future. “I’m convinced we’re going to make it through,” she stated