A Virginia firefighter is lifeless, and eleven others are injured after a house explosion obliterated a residence on Friday night.
In a press convention, Loudon County Fireplace & Rescue Assistant Chief of Operations James Williams mentioned that one firefighter is lifeless, 9 firefighters, and two civilians are injured after the explosion “completely devastated” a house in northern Virginia.
Authorities mentioned that on the time of the lethal explosion, firefighters had been inside the house.
The Sterling Volunteer Fireplace Firm posted on X that crews responded to stories of a fuel leak that became a “structural hearth” on the residence at 7:40 p.m. on Friday night.
“Quickly after arrival, the home did explode,” Williams mentioned.
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Williams mentioned that the 9 firefighters and two civilians had been transported to native hospitals.
He mentioned that some had critical accidents.
Officers didn’t determine the firefighter killed within the blaze throughout the press convention however did say that the group was deeply affected by the incident.
“It’s an enormous bodily and emotional toll on everybody related to the hearth division. Clearly, the people who find themselves trapped, the rescuers which might be getting into to attempt to pull them out, the incident commander,” Williams mentioned.
Residents mentioned that they heard an “monumental growth” that “shook” their whole dwelling.
“Huge growth shook the entire home simply now. Ran upstairs, exterior with flashlights and all of the neighbors had been doing the identical,” one Sterling resident advised FOX 5. “Apparently, a home exploded on a avenue close by.”
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Photographs from the scene confirmed a big legislation enforcement presence battling a hearth among the many dwelling’s rubble amid thick plumes of smoke.
In response to FOX 5, the Sterling Volunteer Fireplace Firm reported that they’re being assisted by Fairfax Fireplace and Rescue Division and the Ashburn Fireplace Division.
The Luray Fireplace Division took to Fb in help of their fellow firefighters, writing, “Please hold Loudoun County Firefighters in your ideas and prayers.”