A Virginia firefighter was killed and others injured in a house explosion Friday night, officials said.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue arrived at the Sterling home to investigate around 7:40 p.m., and firefighters were inside when the home exploded, said Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief James Williams.
“Complete devastation,” Williams described the scene and the damage. “The debris field extends from the road to neighboring homes.”
Williams said injuries to the nine firefighters ranged from serious to minor.
The identity of the deceased firefighter was not immediately released. Williams said his next of kin was notified Friday night.
Asked about neighbors smelling gas, Williams would not confirm whether firefighters had come to investigate the leak.
The Sterling-on-X Volunteer Fire Department posted that its crews were responding to a gas leak on that road around the time of the explosion.
He said the fire is being investigated by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office with assistance from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Williams said Friday night that the fire is expected to continue smoldering and remains an active scene.
“When we called the fire service, we said this is the worst call we can respond to, and this is a time where we need to support and support each other,” Ms Williams said.
Utility company Washington Gas said it was at the scene assisting with the investigation.
“We are checking the integrity of neighboring systems. Our condolences go out to the injured and the loss of the Loudoun County Fire Department,” the company said. In a statement regarding X.
Sterling is a community of approximately 30,000 people in Loudoun County, west of Washington, D.C.
