STERLING, Va. — One week after a house exploded and killed a volunteer firefighter in Sterling, fire officials said the estimated cost of damage is about $2.5 million.
Fences surround the site at Silver Ridge Drive and Seneca Ridge Drive where a gas leak from a 500-gallon underground propane tank sparked the explosion. Fire Chief Keith Johnson said although the fire marshals have left the scene, the propane tank in question remain on the scene.
The explosion damaged six other homes in the community including the house of Stephan Hanna. His home two doors down had damage to the front porch area and numerous nails lodged in his walls and ceilings.
“I’m glad I’m still here,” Hanna told WUSA9. “I was standing not even two minutes before it went off. I was talking to the firefighter. He said it was a gas tank leaking. I went inside and boom.”
While investigators point to the gas leak, the exact cause of what ignited the explosion has yet to be released.
There are separate investigations underway including a team tasked with analyzing the response and what could’ve been done differently. Federal officials are also assisting in the investigation.
The blast killed 45-year-old Sterling volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 11 other firefighters.
Funeral arrangements have been set for Monday, March 4.
Meanwhile, only one firefighter is left in the hospital. Brian Diamond, a volunteer firefighter and a middle school teacher in Loudoun County, is at the burn unit at MedStar Washington.
“He's had one surgery which he's recovering from,” mother-in-law Barbara Schumacher told WUSA9. “There's going to be more surgeries next week. The community is continuing to take care of all of us. We have talked to him. He's very conversant and doing as well as can be expected.”
The county encourages Loudoun residents to be safe when utilizing propane on your property. Follow these basic safety tips and remember if you smell gas, evacuate, and call 911:
• Have your propane system and appliances installed, inspected, serviced, and repaired by your propane retailer or a qualified professional.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and understand the warnings concerning the system and appliances.
• Avoid running out of propane as that may create a serious safety hazard. An inspection is likely required to be completed by your retailer or a qualified professional before turning the gas back on.
• Know where underground gas lines and tanks are located. This will help avoid damaging them when digging or working on the premises. Protect your regulator from the elements or insects by keeping it well covered.
How to Identify a Propane Leak
• Listen for a hissing or blowing sound.
• If you smell a rotten-egg-like odor, you may have a propane leak.
• Look for blowing dirt and dead or dying vegetation.
If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak:
• Stop what you’re doing and leave the area immediately. If you're inside, get out immediately. If you're outside, leave the area quickly.
• Call 911 and your propane retailer. From a safe location, away from the building, call 911 and wait for crews to arrive. Do not return to the building or area until a qualified professional determines it is safe to do so.
For additional fire and life safety information, please visit www.loudoun.gov/firemarshal or call 703-737-8600.
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