As the investigation into the Sterling home explosion that killed one firefighter and injured 13 other people continues, Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System Chief Keith Johnson outlined the next steps in a board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday.
The Fire Marshal’s Office remained on the scene in the days following the event and, as of Tuesday night, Johnson expected that it would continue its part of the investigation at least through Wednesday.
Johnson says that a Significant Incident Team of both internal and external stakeholders will review the response to the incident. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will fly in to work on the investigation.
Johnson believes that NIOSH will create an objective report, to be published nationally, that will show what the fire response team did correctly and incorrectly. He says he expects this process could take months.
“My expectation is that this will be truly transparent in everything that we did right and wrong, if there is anything found in that,” Johnson said.
Johnson said that a propone from a 500-pound underground tank leaked into the home, creating a flammable atmosphere, causing the explosion. The investigation will determine how and why the propane leaked into the home.
Trevor Brown, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company firefighter who died in the explosion, was outside the home when it exploded.
On Tuesday, there was a procession to honor Brown as his remains were transported from the medical examiner’s office back to Loudoun County, in what Johnson called “an unbelievable display of community affection.”
Brown’s family received calls of support from both Gov. Glenn Youngkin and President Joe Biden. Brown’s funeral will be on March 4 at the Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg.
Two firefighters who were inside the during the blast became trapped under rubble when the explosion went off. They remain hospitalized and have been receiving treatment in the burn unit of MedStar Washington Health as of Tuesday night.
“I’m positive all are doing better and recovering,” Johnson said, noting that he spoke with all injured parties.
Feature image courtesy Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue Department
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