PHOTOS: An explosion that blew out at least two floors of a high-rise hotel and injured nearly two dozen people in downtown Fort Worth on Monday afternoon is suspected of being caused by a natural gas leak, according to the ATF and Fort Worth Fire Department. The explosion was reported at the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Hotel in the 800 block of Houston Street at about 3:30 p.m. Officials confirmed Monday afternoon that 21 people were injured in the blast, including one critically and four seriously. Glass and exterior walls from at least two floors of the building's 8th Street facade were blown out onto the street and into a parking lot on the west side. The explosion appears to have also damaged the sidewalk, exposing the building's lower floors.  

Two people died after a fire onboard a ship at Port Houston, according to authorities. The Baytown Fire Department says the fire happened in the engine room of a vessel just before 4 a.m. at the Port Houston Barbours Cut Container Terminal. Port Houston officials confirmed that two crew members from the ship died during the fire, and a third was transported to the hospital in critical condition via Life Flight for burns. Officials said the ship was being fueled by a barge that pulled up alongside the vessel when the fire ignited. Port Houston said the flames have since been contained, but the area will be monitored for 24 hours per protocol. The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office was originally looking into the cause of the fire but said this is now a federal investigation.  

The dormant wildfire season — which has produced nearly all of the 30 largest wildfires in Texas — is here, but data from the Texas A&M Forest Service suggest this may be a mild year thanks to El Niño. After a summer of intense heat, drought conditions have reduced, said Lucas Kanclerz, a fire analyst with the Texas A&M Forest Service's Predictive Services Department. "We've seen a reduction in the drought that we were building into over the summer from the recent precipitation that occurred in mid- and late December," he said. "There may be some drought that persists just because of the lingering spring rainfall deficits from the summer. But for parts of east Texas they're actually showing drought improvement or even drought removal."  

VIDEO: Low water pressure from fire hydrants has added a degree of difficulty for firefighters while battling an East Side house fire early Monday morning, according to the San Antonio Fire Department. The fire was called in just before 5 a.m. at an abandoned single-story home in the 200 block of Toledo Street, not far from South Palmetto Street and Wyoming Street. Firefighters said when they arrived, they found flames showing from the house. No one is believed to have been inside. As of 6 a.m., they were still battling the flames. A battalion chief said they initially had problems with the water supply, as they were getting extremely low water pressure from the fire hydrants. The fire, however, has not spread to any homes nearby. According to the San Antonio Fire Department website, as many as 15 units answered the call.  

PHOTOS: An explosion that blew out at least two floors of a high-rise hotel and injured nearly two dozen people in downtown Fort Worth on Monday afternoon is suspected of being caused by a natural gas leak, according to the ATF and Fort Worth Fire Department. The explosion was reported at the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Hotel in the 800 block of Houston Street at about 3:30 p.m. Officials confirmed Monday afternoon that 21 people were injured in the blast, including one critically and four seriously. Glass and exterior walls from at least two floors of the building's 8th Street facade were blown out onto the street and into a parking lot on the west side. The explosion appears to have also damaged the sidewalk, exposing the building's lower floors.  

A small fire department in Haines City is now sharing its own story. 'Through the Smoke' is a documentary series created by the Haines City Fire Department that will feature their firefighters and command staff's day-to-day life, including what happens both on and off calls. Additionally, it will dispel some common misconceptions about the fire service and will showcase the first responders themselves and their unique personalities. "It can definitely be very humorous at times for sure, and I may have to keep my guys in line. No, I'm sure they'll be fine," said Zach Hamelton, a spokesperson for Haines City Fire Dept. "It's just great to showcase that human in uniform." Hamelton has experience in the film industry and considers this a passion project as he has several family members in the fire service and medical field.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Volunteer firefighters have a cleanup on their hands after they report possible straight line winds caused damage to their station. According to the Volunteer Fire Department for the village of Labadieville, straight line winds tossed a mobile home into Fire Station 3 on Highway 1011 in Assumption Parish as storms swept through south Louisiana Monday afternoon. No word yet on whether or not anyone was inside the mobile home at the time it was reportedly lifted off the ground. No injuries have been reported. There was no notable damage to the fire truck that was safely parked inside as the wind peeled the walls off the station.  

One Firefighter from Niagara Falls is spending his winter training to take on the World's Strongest Firefighter competition in March. Niagara Falls Firefighter Paul Emmick has been training as a power lifter and now a strongman for 20 years. "I feel so much stronger in my core, my lower back and my hips from doing these types of movements," Paul said. Paul puts that strength to very good use, carrying hoses and sometimes people during his work days at the fire department. "Not only having the physical challenge and everything that comes with firefighting itself, but being able to be the first one on scene," Paul said. He has been a firefighter for the past 2 years, fulfilling a personal mission to help people in need. Paul set out to make a difference after his brother died from a drug overdose in 2015.