Sterling, VA – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has launched its investigation into a deadly house explosion in Sterling that claimed the life of a volunteer firefighter. Trevor Brown, 45, was one of the firefighters who responded to a home on Silver Ridge Drive after neighbors reported a strong smell.
Loudoun County Fire & Rescue Chief Keith Johnson has requested the U.S. Fire Administration for the involvement of NIOSH, a branch under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to investigate what led to Brown’s death. Johnson emphasized the importance of transparency in the investigation process.
In addition to NIOSH, efforts are being made to establish a “significant incident team” to thoroughly analyze the response and identify areas for improvement. Firefighters continue to work at the scene of the house explosion, focusing on an underground propane tank that leaked last Friday night.
Some of the injured firefighters remain in critical condition with second-degree burns, while others have been released from the hospital. Loudoun County Fire & Rescue Operational Medical Director Dr. John Morgan emphasized the long-term support needed for those injured in the explosion.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has reportedly shown interest in the welfare of the injured victims, and Chief Johnson has urged the public to support the Loudoun First Responders Foundation. The investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing and NIOSH’s involvement is expected to shed light on the circumstances leading to this tragic incident.