- One firefighter was killed, while nine other firefighters and two civilians were injured in a catastrophic home explosion Friday in Sterling, Virginia.
- The residence exploded while emergency crews were investigating a gas leak.
- Authorities said a storm in the pound would complicate the ongoing investigation.
A Virginia firefighter was killed in a catastrophic home explosion Friday night, while 11 other people were injured and rushed to the hospital.
Emergency crews responded to a call about a gas leak in Sterling around 7:30 p.m. When firefighters entered the residence and investigated, the house unexpectedly exploded.
Shocking images and photographs capture the aftermath, showing billowing clouds of smoke rising from the rubble.
Nine firefighters and two civilians were injured and taken to various hospitals, and the conditions of their injuries were not immediately known.
“I would say this is the worst call we can respond to, and this is a time where we need to support and embrace each other,” said Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Asst. Chief James Williams.
Emergency crews responded to a gas leak call in Sterling, Virginia, around 7:30 p.m. When firefighters entered the residence and investigated, the house unexpectedly exploded.
Shocking images and photographs capture the aftermath, showing billowing clouds of smoke rising from the rubble.
Nine firefighters and two civilians were injured and taken to various hospitals, although the conditions of their injuries were not immediately known.
Neighbor John Padegett told the ABC: “The whole house shook. “It was a big explosion and luckily I had walked my dog before and I smelled gas.
Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang and felt their homes shake, and some claimed their residences were also damaged, he reported. NBC and FOX5
‘There was a lot of smoke. There was debris falling from the sky,” Kyleigh Krishreck said, adding that she felt like something hit her house.
Neighbor John Padegett told the ABC: “The whole house shook. “It was a big explosion and luckily I had walked my dog before and I smelled gas.
“It looked like hell… it was horrible, it looked like something out of a war zone.” Padegett said.
‘Total devastation. There is a debris field on the street and in the neighborhood. “It’s a huge physical and emotional toll on everyone associated with the fire department,” Williams said.
Numerous photographs show fire trucks with extended ladders floating above the rubble as rescuers search through the rubble.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion, but confirmed that all firefighters have been evacuated from the building.
Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang and feeling their homes shake, and some said their residences were also damaged, NBC and FOX5 reported.
Numerous photographs show fire trucks with extended ladders floating above the rubble as rescuers search through the rubble.
“I would say this is the worst call we can respond to, and this is a time where we need to support and embrace each other,” said Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Asst. Chief James Williams
A social media user who lives nearby said all his neighbors heard the explosion.
‘(There were) people who were trapped. The rescuers were coming in and trying to get them out. “This incident will affect the entire fire service in the country,” Williams said.
The deceased firefighter has not been identified, pending notification of next of kin, authorities said.
Several agencies were devastated by the explosion as Loudoun County Fire and Rescue announced the loss of a crew member “with great sadness.”
The office wrote: “One firefighter was determined to have died at the scene and several others were transported to local area hospitals for medical treatment.”
“The scene is active with law enforcement and fire and rescue personnel and the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.”
Williams told reporters that the storm forecast for tonight in Sterling would complicate the scene and the ongoing investigation.