Virginia

Leaking underground propane tank found at Virginia home before deadly house explosion

Published

2 years ago

February 17, 2024

Leaking underground propane tank found at Virginia home before deadly house explosion

STERLING, Va. — When firefighters arrived at a home in a Washington, D.C., suburb to investigate a report about a gas smell Friday night, they discovered a 500-gallon underground propane tank with a leak on the side of the residence.

A short time later, the house exploded and burst into flames, with multiple mayday calls coming from the firefighters trapped inside. Crews rushed in to try to rescue them from the debris that covered them, but one firefighter was killed and nine others were injured, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue officials said in a news release.

The origin and cause of the explosion is under investigation. Authorities did not say if they believe the propane tank leak caused the explosion.

James Williams, assistant chief of operations, said the firefighters’ injuries range from limited to severe. Two other people were also injured and treated at hospitals for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Williams described damage to the home in Sterling as “total devastation.”

“There’s a debris field well into the street and into the neighboring homes,” he said Friday during a news conference.

Sterling is located about 22 miles (35 kilometers) northwest of Washington, D.C.

In a news release Saturday, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue said the emergency communications center received a 911 call reporting a gas odor shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday. After firefighters found the leak in the underground propane tank, they requested a hazardous materials response team and additional units and safety officers. The house exploded a short time later.

A neighbor, John Padgett, told ABC7 News that he had smelled gas while walking his dog earlier.

The blast shook his home, he said.

“It looked like an inferno,” and insulation from the burning home fell like ash, he added. “It was horrific; it looked like something out of a war zone.”

Washington Gas issued a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, saying it has company representatives on the scene and is assisting Loudoun County fire officials and other authorities in the investigation.

“We are verifying the integrity of our system in the surrounding area,” the company said. “Our hearts go out to those who were injured and to the Loudoun County Fire department for the loss of one of their own.”

The Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office was also on the scene Saturday and is investigating the origin and cause of the explosion.

“This is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing danger to the community,” Loudoun County Fire and Rescue said in a statement.

The body of the firefighter who died was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.

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Virginia

Georgia vs Virginia predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament First Round

Published

57 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Georgia vs Virginia predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament First Round

The First Round of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues Saturday with a slate featuring No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 10 Virginia on the 16-game schedule.

Here is the latest on Saturday’s March Madness matchup, including expert picks from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX: Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

No. 7 Georgia vs No. 10 Virginia prediction

Heather Burns: Virginia
Mitchell Northam: Georgia
Nancy Armour: Virginia
Cydney Henderson: Georgia
Meghan Hall: Georgia

No. 7 Georgia vs No. 10 Virginia odds

Opening Moneyline: Georgia (-125)
Opening Spread: Georgia (-1.5)
Opening Total: 131.5

How to Watch Georgia vs Virginia on Saturday

No. 7 Georgia takes on No. 10 Virginia at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on at 1:30 p.m. (ET). The game is airing on ESPN2.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

March 18-19: First Four
March 20-21: First Round
March 22-23: Second Round
March 27-28: Sweet 16
March 29-30: Elite 8
April 3: Final Four
April 5: National Championship

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Virginia

Deranged West Virginia man accused of shooting father in face with crossbow captured following snowy manhunt

Published

13 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Deranged West Virginia man accused of shooting father in face with crossbow captured following snowy manhunt

A West Virginia man was arrested after allegedly shooting his father in the face with a crossbow and leading police on a multicounty manhunt through snow-covered terrain, authorities said.

Chase Fleming was charged this week with malicious assault, with additional charges possible, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

Police said Fleming was taken into custody after an “exhausting search” and a “lengthy foot pursuit” through snow-covered parts of Jackson and Roane counties.

The victim is in stable condition, the department said.

Fleming was admitted to a hospital for observation after deputies attempted to get him medically cleared for incarceration.

Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger told WV MetroNews that Fleming entered his father’s home with a preloaded crossbow.

The two got into an argument, and Fleming allegedly fired the weapon, the outlet reported, hitting the victim in the face.

Chase Fleming was charged this week with malicious assault, with additional charges possible. Jackson County Sheriff’s Department

The bolt reportedly entered the victim’s face just below his left eye and exited the back of his head.

“How the guy is still alive is beyond me, it’s really remarkable,” Mellinger told MetroNews.

After fleeing the scene in his pickup truck, Fleming later crashed, police said.

A snowy road with a forest in the background. — The victim is in stable condition, the department said. WSAZ

Mellinger said the sheriff’s department used multiple K-9s and drones while searching for Fleming, covering roughly seven miles through snow and wooded terrain.

Fleming was found hiding under a rock on a remote ridge and taken into custody without resistance, according to the outlet.

Bond has not been set, according to the sheriff’s department.

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Virginia

How to buy Virginia 2026 March Madness second round tickets, schedule

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

How to buy Virginia 2026 March Madness second round tickets, schedule

The Virginia Cavaliers will continue dancing in the 2026 NCAA Tournament!

Despite a scare against No. 14 Wright State for much of the game on Friday afternoon, the No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers pulled away late 82-73 with help from Jacari White, who went 10/12 from the floor and 26 points.

With that, the Round of 32 is up next for Virginia as they’ll play either No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) on Sunday. While you wait, tickets for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second round game are available now, which you can find below:

Shop Virginia basketball tickets

Shop Virginia March Madness tickets

Virginia March Madness next opponent

Virginia earned a No. 3 seed in the Midwest regional, where they knocked out No. 14 Wright State in its opening game. They’ll play the winner of No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) on Sunday. Tickets to Virginia’s Round of 32 game start at $125.

Virginia March Madness basketball tickets

Limited Virginia NCAA Tournament tickets are still available for the Round of 32. Get your Virginia March Madness tickets today as the Cavaliers continue their quest to cut down the nets.

Shop Virginia basketball tickets

Virginia March Madness schedule

After defeating No. 14 Wright State, No. 3 Virginia advances to the Round of 32, where they will play the No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) winner on Sunday. The time of the game is to be determined. Tickets to Virginia’s Round of 32 game start at $125.

More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament

Virginia March Madness game locations

Virginia will play its Round of 32 game in Philadelphia against either Tennessee or Miami (Ohio).

Limited tickets for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament action in Philadelphia are available. Shop your Virginia NCAA Tournament tickets now.

Shop Virginia basketball tickets

When is March Madness 2026?

The First Four tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Tuesday, March 17. The two rounds run between Thursday, March 19 and Sunday, March 22. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.

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