Loudoun County Fire and Rescue said a firefighter died after a catastrophic house explosion in Sterling, Virginia, on Friday evening.
Firefighters on the scene fielded multiple Mayday calls for a fire in the 300 block of Silver Ridge Drive — where one firefighter was “trapped in the rubble,” one person said.
“I would say it's the worst call we've ever had to respond to and it's a time for us to support each other and hold each other,” Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Asst. Chief James Williams.
Nine firefighters and two civilians were injured and taken away, but the extent of their injuries is unknown.
“The house is pretty level,” a firefighter said in a dispatch call.
“Total destruction,” Williams said. “There's a garbage field in the street and neighborhood.”
Many firefighters were trapped.
Loudoun County Fire responded to a call about a smell of natural gas around 7:40 p.m. The explosion occurred shortly after firefighters responded.
Washington Case went to the scene to assist with the investigation.
“We are verifying the integrity of our system in the surrounding area,” the utility said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to those injured and to the Loudoun County Fire Department for the loss of one of their own.”
“It's a huge physical and emotional toll on everyone associated with the fire department,” Williams said.
“It was very smoky; debris was falling from the sky,” neighbor Kylee Krishrek said.
He said he felt like something hit his house.
Several neighbors said their houses were also damaged in the blast.
Northbound Silver Ridge Drive is closed at Seneca Ridge Drive, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
