In Sterling, Virginia, a home blew up on Friday night while firefighters were inside looking for a gas leak. This terrible event caused the death of one firefighter and hurt at least 13 people, including 11 who were there to help, like firefighters and police.
Those who got hurt were taken to the hospital. Some of them were really badly injured, while others were not as badly hurt. Four of the helpers had to stay in the hospital until the next morning.
The firefighter who died was named Trevor Brown. He was 45 years old and had been helping people as part of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company since 2016.
Firefighters went to the house around 7:40 p.m. because someone called 911 saying it smelled like gas there. The chief of the fire and rescue team said they think the explosion happened because of propane gas from a big tank underground that got into the house.
They were trying to make sure everyone, including two people and their pets who lived there, was safe outside the house when suddenly, the house exploded. This trapped some firefighters inside and hurt others outside.
The chief was proud of the person who called 911 about the gas smell. It’s very important to check if everyone is safe and to stop the gas leak.
Even though the explosion was very bad and hurt a lot of people, the firefighters who are still in the hospital are expected to get better.
After the explosion, there was a lot of smoke and pieces of the house everywhere. Many fire trucks and emergency vehicles came to help. It was a very sad and scary scene, and the people who help others said it was one of the worst situations they have to face. They talked about how important it is to support each other during tough times.
Two people who were in the house got minor injuries and were also taken to the hospital.
Investigators are trying to figure out exactly how the explosion happened, but they think it was just a one-time thing and that the neighborhood is safe.
Sterling, where this happened, is not too far from Washington, D.C. A neighbor said it looked like a huge fire when the house exploded.
