A first responder in Loudoun County, Virginia, has lost his life while serving his community.
Trevor Brown, 45, was a member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company.
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue noted the following in a statement posted to the department’s Facebook page Friday night.
At approximately 7:38 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an odor of gas outside of a residence in the 300 block of Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling. Upon arrival, units from Sterling located a 500-gallon underground propane tank with a leak on the side of the residence and requested the Loudoun County’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, as well as additional units from Sterling, South Riding, numerous Command Staff and Safety Officers.
A short time later, units on scene reported a catastrophic explosion concurrent with multiple maydays from firefighters inside the residence. A Rapid Intervention Task Force and a second alarm were requested, bringing additional units from Fairfax County and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority. Upon receiving the multiple maydays and calls for help, fire and rescue crews worked to locate, and rescue the trapped members from the debris that covered them. Ultimately, one firefighter was determined deceased on scene and 10 firefighters were transported to area hospitals for medical treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. Two civilians were transported to area hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
NBC News reported Saturday that a 500-gallon propane tank had been found under the house that exploded.