4 comments on “propane explosion news conference”

  1. The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office (“LCFR-FMO”) continues its investigation into the origin and cause of the home explosion that occurred on February 16, 2024, at 347 Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling. As previously reported, the explosion was the result of a leak involving a 500-gallon underground propane tank. The investigation showed that propane leaked into and around the structure and was ignited by a still unknown ignition source.

    As the investigation continues, the LCFR-FMO is working directly with representatives from Southern States Cooperative, Inc. – Leesburg – Fairfax Petroleum Service (“Southern States”) to review and update the company’s fire code related information. The Fire Marshal has imposed restrictions on all branches of Southern States that deliver/transfer propane within Loudoun County, Virginia, and the incorporated Towns within the County. Until Southern States completes its fire code updates, residents of Loudoun County and its incorporated towns may experience interruptions to their normal propane service delivery.

    The LCFR-FMO and Southern States hope to have these updates completed as quickly as possible to help reduce the impact on the community. As this remains an extremely complex investigation, the incident will remain under investigation until further notice. The official cause classification will be communicated when the investigation is complete.

  2. Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System
    Public Information Officer Laura Rinehart
    Investigation Update – Silver Ridge Explosion

    The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue’s Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded its on-site investigation activities at 347 Silver Ridge Dr. in Sterling. Preliminary findings during this ongoing origin and cause investigation have determined that the explosion on Friday, February 16, 2024 was a result of a leak involving a 500-gallon underground propane tank; uncontained propane migrated into and around the structure and was ignited by an unknown ignition source.

    This is an extremely complex investigation, and the incident will remain “Under Investigation” until further notice. The official cause classification will be communicated when the investigation is complete.

    As a result of the explosion, 14 people were injured including one fatality, identified as Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company. Currently only one Firefighter remains hospitalized, in stable condition, at the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

    Property damage from the explosion extended to at least six additional residential structures. In addition to the dwelling at 347 Silver Ridge Dr., three additional structures were evaluated and determined to be unsafe for continued occupancy. Initial damages are estimated at approximately $2.5 Million.

    LC-CFRS 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 http://www.loudoun.gov/firemarshal
    or call 703-737-8600
    .

  3. Good Afternoon,

    I am following up here to share this message from Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue regarding how residents can support Firefighter Trevor Brown’s family and the other injured firefighters:

    The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company are mourning the loss of Firefighter Trevor Brown who lost his life in an incident on Friday, February 16, 2024. The incident also injured ten firefighters on the scene with several remaining hospitalized.

    As we mourn and heal, we thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of support from the Loudoun County community, the region and the Country. Many have inquired how they can assist our first responders in Loudoun County. If you would like to donate, please visit the website of our non-profit partners, the Loudoun First Responders Foundation (LFRF) at http://www.LoudounFRF.org. The Loudoun First Responders Foundation serves Loudoun County by providing immediate financial support to active first responder personnel in their time of need. To designate your donation specifically to the family of Firefighter Trevor Brown, please add “Brown Family” in memo line, if not specified, your donations will benefit injured firefighters.

    For community members who wish to donate goods and services, please email LCCFRSdonate@loudoun.gov and our staff will reach out to you directly to coordinate. Additionally, many of you have expressed your heartfelt condolences to the family of firefighter Brown and the injured members of LC-CFRS. An email address, LCCFRScondolences@loudoun.gov has been set up to collect those messages and share them with our responders.

    The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company also shared the following directions for any residents interested in food donations: If you are interested in making food donations over the next few weeks, we ask that you please message us here or call us at Station 18 in Cascades at 703-430-4013 so that we can put you on our schedule. This schedule will apply to both of our fire stations.

    Here are the best places for residents to continue to get updates:

    Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue: https://www.facebook.com/LoudounFireRescue
    Sterling Volunteer Fire Company: https://www.facebook.com/SterlingFire
    Loudoun Career Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 3756: https://www.facebook.com/iaff3756

    Kind regards,

    Ethan Gardner, Chief of Staff
    Vice Chair Juli Briskman, Algonkian District Supervisor
    1 Harrison Street, SE, Leesburg, VA 20177-7000
    Cell: (571) 410-9105
    Ethan.Gardner@loudoun.gov

  4. Gardner, Ethan wrote on 24/02/17 14:14:

    > Good Afternoon,
    >
    > Our office is actively monitoring the house explosion and ongoing investigation on Silver Ridge Drive in the Seneca Ridge community. I am reaching out to all of our Algonkian District HOAs and community associations with information about the county response:
    >
    > Vice Chair Briskman is following the guidance of Loudoun County Fire and Rescue as they continue to manage the scene and conduct their Fire Marshal investigation. If any residents reach out with questions or concerns, please advise them to follow the official channels of Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. You can also direct them to our office as we are putting out information on social media provided by Loudoun Fire and Rescue. Here is a link to the most up to date press release on the incident: https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=8937
    >
    > If any residents are looking to donate and support the family of the fallen firefighter, we have been advised by the Fire Chief that they are working directly with the family to support them. At this time, no GoFundMe or other cash fund has been setup to directly support the family, as they are still working through this tragedy. If that changes, our office will share that information out immediately. Residents can of course contribute to the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company directly if they wish to.
    >
    > I know that it will be a long process of cleanup and recovery for the greater Sterling community and Algonkian District. Vice Chair Briskman and our team will keep regular contact with Fire and Rescue and relevant county agency staff to assist in the efforts to heal from this tragedy. I hope that you, your family, and neighbors are safe from this scary incident.
    >
    >
    > Kind regards,
    >
    > Ethan Gardner, Chief of Staff
    > Vice Chair Juli Briskman, Algonkian District Supervisor

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