Virginia
Report details Virginia house explosion that killed firefighter
Firefighter killed in Sterling house explosion
A house was leveled and one firefighter killed Friday night after a house exploded in Sterling, Virginia.
STERLING, Va. – A detailed report released Tuesday sheds light on the devastating February 16, 2024, house explosion in Sterling that killed Firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 13 others, including 10 first responders.
Sterling house explosion Significant Incident Report
What we know:
The 211-page report, compiled by Frederick County Fire and Rescue Services in Maryland, highlights critical areas for improvement in emergency response while honoring the heroic efforts that day.
The Significant Incident Report, requested by the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS), identifies several challenges that contributed to the tragedy, including inadequate risk assessment, delays in communication, resource allocation issues, and difficulties in coordinating a complex and rapidly escalating situation.
“The need for continuous improvement in emergency response protocols, training, and communication strategies is critical to mitigating risks and enhancing safety for responders,” the report states.
Firefighters were called to the home on Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday to investigate a report about a smell of gas.
Despite the challenges, the report also highlights strengths that contributed to saving lives, including advanced training in firefighter rescue operations, technical rescue expertise, and the swift coordination of behavioral health support for responders.
LC-CFRS Chief Keith Johnson emphasized that the recommendations from the report, which include 51 objectives and more than 80 action items, will guide improvements in training, communication, and risk assessment.
When did the Sterling house explosion happen?
The backstory:
The explosion occurred on Silver Ridge Drive after Loudoun County firefighters responded to a reported gas leak at the residence.
Investigators later determined an underground propane tank was leaking, prompting firefighters to request a hazardous materials team and evacuate the home’s occupants. Within an hour, the home exploded, leveling the structure, trapping several firefighters, and sending debris flying.
Brown, a dedicated Sterling volunteer firefighter, died in the line of duty. Two firefighters were rescued from the home’s burning basement, and 10 others sustained significant injuries. Two civilians suffered minor injuries.
What’s next:
The explosion has led to criminal charges against Roger Bentley, a 67-year-old technician for Southern States Cooperative. Prosecutors allege Bentley assessed the propane leak and improperly advised residents to “let it seep out and be on their merry way.”
Bentley faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and other offenses related to the explosion.
RICHMOND, Va. — Friday will be sunny and seasonably warm, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.
The pattern of cool nights and mild afternoons will continue through the weekend and through much of next week as upper-level flow continues to bring reinforcing mild and dry air out of eastern Canada.
Rain chances will be very limited over the next week, with only a slim chance with a frontal passage on Monday.
Stay With CBS 6, The Weather Authority.
STORM TRACKING LINKS:
Weather Alerts
Closings & Delays
Interactive Radar
Map Center
📱 Download the new and improved CBS 6 Weather App for iPhone and Android.
WTVR
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — Ressie Keen, a 107-year-old Pittsylvania County woman, is safe after escaping a house fire that destroyed her more than 100-year-old home, leaving behind a yard filled with charred debris and scattered belongings.
Keen said she has no special secret to her longevity.
“I ain’t got no secret, just thanking the Lord to let me stay here to see 107,” she said.
Keen said she moved to the home decades ago and built a life there.
“I’ve moved there in 1969, our first crop was made in 1970, and I been living there ever since,” she said.
The fire broke out in Keen’s bedroom on Thursday afternoon. Keen said she and her sitter got out as the fire grew.
“I don’t know what happened, only thing I knew to do was to get out of there. So me and my sitter we got out. She tried to put it out but she couldn’t,” Keen said.
SEE ALSO: Valley Link posts new transmission line path, schedules new community meetings
Pittsylvania County Fire Marshal Scott Hutcherson said investigators believe the fire started with an electrical issue.
“We think we had an electric outlet failure, more or less; an adaptor on the outlet probably failed,” Hutcherson said. He said the fire spread quickly once it ignited nearby items. “It set the bed on fire and the clothes that was on top of it, the material on top of it, what’s pretty much what got the fire going. And then it easily spread to the second story.”
Keen’s son, Ronnie Keen, said the loss has been painful for the family.
“It was devastating real devastating, lot of memories lost. But I know those memories and emotions the things that were sentimental were still right here,” he said.
A family photo album was among the few items recovered. Pointing to one image, Ronnie Keen said, “That’s a picture of the house.”
He added that the album was badly damaged. “It’s so charred it’s kinda hard to open,” he said.
Keen also held onto her favorite cast-iron pan.
“I knew this wasn’t going to get burnt up,” she said.
The home was considered a total loss, but the family said the most important thing is that Ressie Keen survived. She is now living with her son.
“I’m overjoyed that she’s here with us and she’s safe,” Ronnie Keen said.
Hutcherson said to prevent this, make sure that there is a smoke alarm in your home. He says you can reach out to the Pittsylvania County Public Safety office for a free installation of a smoke alarm.
WISE COUNTY, VA (WCYB) — Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has requested the Virginia Attorney General’s Office investigate the 2025 homicide of a Wallens Ridge State Prison inmate.
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed the development to News 5 on Tuesday, May 27.
“The circumstances around the death of Aubrey McKay are of a very serious and troubling nature. Governor Spanberger has requested that the Office of the Attorney General conduct an investigation and initiate any criminal prosecutions that arise. This office will continue its thorough, complete, and timely investigation into these consequential matters,” Attorney General Jay Jones said in an emailed statement.
McKay died on June 4, 2025, while inside the Wise County correctional facility.
The Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed his death is being investigated as a homicide and said at least one officer was either reprimanded or placed on leave.
The Virginia medical examiner’s office listed McKay’s cause of death as multifactorial asphyxia. Virginia State Police also confirmed it is investigating the case.
The Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office also confirmed it will no longer be involved in the case.
A spokesperson for the Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office told News 5 on May 25 that Smyth County would oversee the prosecution because of the nature of the investigation.
Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Phillip Blevins later confirmed he has recused himself from the case.
In a court order provided to News 5 dated May 22, Blevins wrote that he has an association with at least one potential witness involved in the investigation. He was excused from the case.
-
Politics2 minutes agoTrump holds Situation Room meeting to decide on Iran deal
-
Science8 minutes agoOxnard man smuggled baby crocodiles, among 1,700 reptiles, gets 5 years
-
Sports14 minutes agoA new board game mocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for ‘foul baiting.’ He wants it destroyed
-
World26 minutes agoIsrael, Russia among new additions on UN sexual violence ‘blacklist’
-
News56 minutes agoWhich first lady feared her husband might be having a stroke? The quiz knows
-
Los Angeles, Ca3 hours agoRescued sea lion pups released in Manhattan Beach
-
Detroit, MI3 hours agoSunda New Asian brings bold flavors to Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoDriver Arrested After Pedestrian Killed, Three Injured In Mission District Crash
