A firefighter was killed in an explosion at a house in Virginia, Washington, USA. 11 others were injured in this incident. 9 of them are firemen and rest 2 are civilians. The explosion occurred on Friday night (February 16) while investigating a gas leak at a house in the suburbs. The US news agency AP reported this news.
Fire officials said a report of a gas leak came to them around 7:30 pm local time. Firefighters rushed to the home in Sterling, Virginia. The explosion occurred shortly after workers entered the house. The incident happened about 30 minutes after the house was reported.
Loudon County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief of Operations James Williams said at a press conference that firefighters were inside the building at the time of the explosion and fire.
“The house exploded shortly after firefighters entered the building,” Williams said.
Williams said one firefighter died in the accident. Nine more firefighters were injured. Besides, two more civilians were hospitalized with minor to serious injuries.
Williams described the incident as ‘absolutely devastating’. He said, ‘All our firemen are deployed outside the building. There is a wreckage in the street and in front of nearby houses.’
Williams said the cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation.
Sterling is about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Washington.
#Firefighter #killed #house #explosion