A tragic incident unfolded in Sterling, Virginia on Friday night, as a house explosion claimed the life of one firefighter and left 11 other people injured. The explosion occurred around 7:40 p.m. local time, with firefighters from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue responding to the scene. Assistant Chief of Operations James Williams revealed that firefighters were inside the home when it exploded, causing widespread devastation in the neighborhood.

Aerial footage from local news media showed smoke and debris covering the area, with neighboring homes also affected by the blast. Williams described the scene as a "total devastation," with a debris field extending into the street. Nine firefighters and two civilians were transported to local hospitals with injuries of varying severity. The identity of the firefighter who lost his life has not been released pending notification of his family.

The circumstances leading up to the explosion remain unclear, but the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company had reported a gas leak at the same address prior to the incident. Fire crews continued to work at the site, with the fire still smoldering as of late Friday night. Washington Gas, the local utility company, stated that they were investigating the integrity of their system in the surrounding area.

The community of Sterling, located about 25 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., is reeling from this tragic event. The emotional toll on everyone associated with the fire department is immense, as they mourn the loss of one of their own and support those injured in the explosion. The investigation into the cause of the blast is ongoing, as authorities work to piece together what led to this devastating incident.