STERLING, Va. — A day after a Sterling house exploded with firefighters inside, officials are identifying the firefighter who was killed in the blast.
According to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, the firefighter who died at the scene was 45-year-old Trevor Brown with the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company. Brown became affiliated with the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System in 2016. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
"We have a funeral to plan," said Loudoun Co. System Chief Keith Johnson in a press conference Saturday morning. "That work is already going on now, to work with the family, to honor their wishes so we can honor the loved one of Firefighter Trevor Brown."
Brown's body was transported with full honors and escorted to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine how he died.
"We lost a family member, we lost one of our own," Johnson said. "It doesn't matter if it's career or volunteer, we lost a family member."
Johnson said Brown's wife was informed of her husband's death around 1 a.m. Saturday.
"Very strong woman," Johnson said about Brown's wife. "We offered our full support, we will not leave her side until she asks us."
Firefighters were called to the home on Silver Ridge Drive shortly after 7:30 p.m. for reports of the smell of gas outside the home. Upon arrival, they found the underground propane tank with a leak on the side of the property. Crews called for Loudoun County’s Hazardous Materials Response Team, as well as additional units from Sterling, South Riding, and numerous command staff and safety officers. However, a short time later the house exploded while firefighters were inside the home.
As a result of the explosion, 12 people were injured in addition to Brown's death. Of those injured, 10 were first responders and two were civilians. All have varying degrees of injuries.
Four of the injured first responders remain in area hospitals, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue.
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
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