STERLING, Va. — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in the wake of a propane explosion that claimed the life of a firefighter and left several others injured in February of this year. The explosion destroyed a home in Sterling, drawing attention to potential negligence on the part of Southern States energy company and two of its employees.
The lawsuit was initiated by the family of Trevor Brown, the deceased firefighter, along with other victims of the explosion. They allege that Southern States displayed gross negligence by neglecting known safety issues concerning the propane tank involved in the incident. According to the complaint, the company failed to take necessary precautions that could have prevented the tragic explosion.
Southern States had recharged the propane tank at the residence three years prior without addressing serious safety concerns documented at the time. This decision is said to have increased the risk to those living in the home and surrounding area. In February, a homeowner contacted Southern States, reporting a strong smell of gas, only to be advised not to call emergency services because the situation was deemed non-urgent.
“What makes this case particularly shocking is that my client, a volunteer firefighter, was on the phone with a manager from Southern States, insisting it was an emergency, yet they disagreed,” said Demetry Pikrallidas, the attorney representing the victims. “This response is not just deeply troubling; it’s outright insane.”
After the call, around 7:30 p.m., local authorities received a report of the gas odor. Firefighting teams from Loudoun County quickly arrived on the scene and determined that an underground propane tank was leaking gas. As conditions worsened, a hazardous materials team was requested, and the inhabitants of the home were evacuated.
Shortly thereafter, at approximately 8:25 p.m., a “catastrophic explosion” occurred while multiple firefighters were responding to the emergency inside the home, resulting in the complete destruction of the structure and trapping several firefighters within.
The lawsuit asserts that Southern States disregarded established safety protocols, including inadequate training for employees and a failure to monitor the leak. The plaintiffs are pursuing millions of dollars in damages, seeking compensation for wrongful death, physical injuries, and emotional distress.
“This is an extraordinary and appalling case,” Pikrallidas emphasized. “When safety concerns are ignored, it suggests a willful disregard for human life. There should have been stringent safeguards in place to flag the issues with that propane tank.”
In addition to the civil lawsuit, a separate criminal investigation is underway to further assess the circumstances surrounding the explosion. Meanwhile, plans are being made to turn the site of the home into a memorial for Trevor Brown. A rock and plaque will honor his memory, along with the development of a nature park in the area.
Recently, the land has been cleared, with landscaping efforts scheduled to begin soon, transforming the tragic location into a place of remembrance for the community.