Explosion at Houston Hotel Under Construction Injures Six Construction Workers

HOUSTON, Texas — An explosion occurred at a hotel under construction in downtown Houston on Thursday morning, injuring six construction workers, according to the Houston Fire Department.

The blast happened around 11:08 a.m. at the 17-story Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites project located at 1319 Texas Avenue, near Austin Street, just west of Discovery Green. Fire officials stated a bank of tankless water heaters exploded, leading to injuries primarily consisting of burns, lacerations, and cuts.

Brent Taylor, a spokesperson for the Houston Fire Department, reported all injuries are not life-threatening. The workers were quickly transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center for treatment.

Witnesses described extensive damage, with images revealing a large hole in the roof and windows blown out. Paul Navejar, a local resident, said he heard a loud boom while watching television. “I could see glass raining down and parts of the building flapping in the breeze,” he recounted.

Traffic in the area is expected to be severely impacted, with surrounding streets closed for hours or possibly days. Taylor emphasized the timing of the explosion likely mitigated further injuries, as few pedestrians were near the busy intersection at the time.

The building has been under construction since October 2023 and was slated to open this month. Investigators from the fire department’s Arson Division, the Life Safety Bureau, and City of Houston Public Works are working to determine the explosion’s cause and initial reports had mistakenly linked it to a boiler.

Chad Pinkerton, a personal injury lawyer experienced in commercial construction incidents, warned that this type of explosion could stem from improper installations or inspections. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also expected to review site safety protocols.

This event has mobilized a large-scale emergency response, highlighting the potential for even greater consequences had the area been more congested.