A firefighter was killed and 11 other people were injured, including 9 firefighters, after a house exploded in Sterling, Virginia, on Friday, a fire department official said in a press conference.
The official said that the house exploded in Sterling while fire crews were inside, killing at least one firefighter and wounding at least nine others, in addition to two civilians, according to James Williams, assistant chief of the Loudoun Fire Department.
The Assistant Chief of the Fire Department revealed that the injured were transferred to the hospital to receive the necessary treatment, according to what was reported by ABC News.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, according to Williams, who noted that the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are assisting in the investigation.
#Breaking Massive house explosion in Sterling, VA.
— Kenneth Moton (@KennethMoton) February 17, 2024
Reports of firefighters trapped. Working to find out more information. @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/5rvIO11twl
Pictures and videos following the explosion showed a huge column of smoke rising from the destroyed house, with debris scattered in the street. Numerous fire trucks and emergency vehicles are present at the scene.
THIS LOOKS LIKE WAY MORE THAN JUST A HOUSE EXPLOSION SOMETHING STRANGE IS GOING ON IN VIRGINIA! pic.twitter.com/9s0mVIP7Y5
— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) February 17, 2024
Williams described the scene after the explosion as “total devastation,” noting that firefighters were initially trapped inside the wreckage and others worked to free them.
The official mentioned that the debris from the explosion spread extensively onto the street and nearby homes. The house that exploded was completely destroyed, with flames still ablaze from the impact.
