One firefighter was killed — and a minimum of 9 different firefighters and two civilians injured — in a large dwelling explosion in Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County Friday night time, officers stated.
In a information briefing, Loudoun County Fireplace and Rescue Assistant Chief of Operations James Williams stated that fireplace crews have been first referred to as to the house in the neighborhood of Sterling at about 7:40 p.m. native time.
“Quickly after arrival, with firefighters inside, the home did explode,” Williams stated.
One firefighter was killed within the explosion, the assistant chief disclosed. The sufferer’s title was not launched. 9 different firefighters and two civilians have been rushed to space hospitals.
“The 9 firefighters have some severe accidents, in addition to some much less extreme accidents,” Williams stated.
Aerial footage from CBS affiliate WUSA-TV confirmed widespread particles from the explosion, with heavy flames burning and smoke billowing a whole lot of toes into the air.
“Whole devastation, there is a particles discipline effectively into the road and into neighboring houses,” stated Williams, however he couldn’t instantly verify the extent of the harm to surrounding properties.
Williams stated all firefighters have been now “out of the constructing,” including that the “fireplace will proceed to smolder for an undetermined period of time.”
The circumstances main as much as the explosion have been unclear, and Williams would not speculate on the trigger, solely saying that it was beneath investigation. Nevertheless, the Sterling Volunteer Fireplace Firm had reported on social media that it had responded to a gasoline leak on the identical handle a bit earlier than 7:40 p.m.
Native utility supplier Washington Gasoline stated in an announcement to CBS Information that it was “verifying the integrity of our system within the surrounding space.”
Sterling is positioned about 25 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.
Extra from CBS Information
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