A Virginia firefighter was killed and 11 others were injured when a house explosion destroyed a home on Friday night.
A northern Virginia home was “completely destroyed” in an explosion that killed one firefighter and injured nine firefighters and two civilians, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief James Williams said at a news conference. said.
Officials said firefighters were inside the home at the time of the deadly explosion.
The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company posted on X that crews responded to a report of a gas leak at a residence that had developed into a “structure fire” at 7:40 p.m. Friday.
“As soon as we arrived, the house exploded,” Williams said.
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The incident began on Silver Ridge Drive around 8:20 p.m. Crews responded to a call of a gas leak and were on scene when the house exploded. (Fox 5)
Williams said nine firefighters and two civilians were taken to local hospitals.
He said some people were seriously injured.
Officials did not reveal the identity of the firefighter who died in the blaze at a news conference, but said the community had been deeply affected by the incident.
“It’s a huge physical and mental strain on everyone involved in the fire department, including the trapped people, the rescue workers trying to get them out, and the incident commander,” Williams said.
Photos of the house explosion showed smoke rising from the debris of the house. (Fox 5)
Residents said they heard a “huge bang” that caused the whole house to “shake”.
“There was just this huge bang that shook the whole house. I ran upstairs with my flashlight and ran outside. All the neighbors were doing the same thing,” one Sterling resident told FOX 5. told. “Apparently, a house exploded on a nearby street.”
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Photos from the scene showed a large law enforcement presence battling the blaze among the rubble of a home amid thick smoke.
The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company was assisted by the Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department and the Ashburn Fire Department, FOX 5 reported.
The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company reported it was assisted by the Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department and the Ashburn Fire Department. (Fox 5)
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The Luray Fire Department tweeted support for their fellow firefighters on Facebook, writing, “Please keep Loudoun County firefighters in your thoughts and prayers.”
