One firefighter is killed and eleven others are injured in massive house explosion in Virginia after crews entered residence to investigate gas leak

A Virginia firefighter was killed in a catastrophic house explosion on Friday evening, while 11 others were injured and rushed to the hospital.

Emergency crews responded to a report of a gas leak in Sterling around 7:30 p.m. When firefighters entered the home and investigated, the house unexpectedly exploded.

Shocking images and photos capture the aftermath, showing billowing clouds of smoke rising from the rubble.

Nine firefighters and two civilians were injured and taken to multiple hospitals, with the condition of their injuries not immediately known.

“I would say this is the worst call we could respond to, and this is a time when we need to support and hold each other,” said Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Asst. Chief James Williams.

Shocking images and photos capture the aftermath, showing billowing clouds of smoke rising from the rubble

Nine firefighters and two civilians were injured and taken to multiple hospitals, with the condition of their injuries not immediately known

Neighbor John Padegett told ABC: ‘The whole house was shaking. It was a huge explosion and luckily I had walked my dog ​​earlier and I smelled gasoline

Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang and feeling their homes shaking, with some claiming their homes were also damaged, reported by NBC And VOS5

‘It was very smoky. Debris was falling from the sky,” Kyleigh Krishreck said, adding that it felt like something hit her house.

Neighbor John Padegett told ABC: ‘The whole house was shaking. It was a huge explosion and luckily I had walked my dog ​​earlier and I smelled gasoline.

“It looked like an inferno… it was horrific, it looked like something out of a war zone.” Padegett said.

‘Total devastation. There is a field of rubble far up the street and nearby. It is a tremendous physical and emotional toll on everyone involved in the fire service,” Williams said.

Numerous photos show fire trucks with extended ladders hovering above the rubble as rescuers search through the rubble.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion but have confirmed that all firefighters have been evacuated from the building.

Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang and feeling their homes shaking, with some claiming their homes were also damaged, reported by NBC and FOX5

Numerous photos show fire trucks with extended ladders hovering above the rubble as rescuers search through the rubble

“I would say this is the worst call we could respond to, and this is a time when we need to support and hold each other,” said Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Asst. Chief James Williams

A social media user who lives nearby said their neighbors all heard the explosion

“(There were) people who were stuck. The rescuers went in and tried to pull them out. This incident will impact the entire fire service in the country,” Williams said.

The deceased firefighter has not yet been identified pending notification of next of kin, authorities said.

Multiple agencies were devastated by the explosion as Loudoun County Fire and Rescue announced the loss of a crew member “with a heavy heart.”

The office wrote: “One firefighter was pronounced dead at the scene and several others were transported to area hospitals for medical treatment.”

“The scene is active with law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel and the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.”

Williams told reporters that the expected storm tonight in Sterling would complicate the scene and the ongoing investigation.