Propane worker charged with the death of a volunteer firefighter after explosion - 11 first responders seriously injured

A former employee of a propane company has been formally charged in connection with the death of a volunteer firefighter who lost his life while responding to a house explosion in Virginia back in February, authorities announced on Tuesday.

The former worker was indicted on Monday, facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and unlawful release of hazardous materials, according to a statement from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue.

In addition to these charges, the worker is also accused of failing to keep mandatory records related to an unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials, and for unlawfully failing to control or mitigate the hazardous release:

Approximately four hours before the underground propane tank exploded on February 16, a propane service technician made the decision to allow the tank to continue leaking, according to authorities. This choice ultimately contributed to the catastrophic explosion that followed later that day.

The house explosion in Sterling, as reported by AP News on February 17, resulted in the tragic death of a volunteer firefighter and left 11 first responders seriously injured. It also caused $2.5 million in damages, according to Loudoun County officials. 

The voluntary firefighter had been with the county's firefighting services since 2016. He was 45 years old and a father of three children. 

Responded to a report of propane odour

Firefighters responded to the home, located in a suburb of Washington, D.C., after receiving a report of a gas odour. Upon arrival, they discovered a leak in a 500-gallon underground propane tank near the house. 

Shortly after their arrival, the house exploded, engulfing the structure in flames. Firefighters trapped inside issued multiple mayday calls, prompting emergency crews to rush in and rescue them from the debris.

Two occupants were safely escorted out of the house before the explosion and sustained only minor injuries from the blast.

Investigators concluded that the explosion was triggered by the propane leak. Propane had accumulated in and around the house and was ignited by an unknown source.

According to the Loudon Times Mirror,  the accused employee, then a Southern States Cooperative service technician, had been called to the home  around 4:20 p.m., according to a search warrant affidavit written by Assistant Fire Marshal Ryan Boehret of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System.

The accused employee was there to determine why fumes were leaking from the 500-gallon tank a Southern States delivery driver filled at about 2:30 p.m.

Ryan Boehret, the lead investigator, said propane will typically not naturally disperse and immediate assistance is needed to prevent the accumulation of vapours: 

“In events with leaking containers, piping, or other appurtenances, the situation must be remedied as soon as possible to prevent the accumulation of vapours to their explosive levels,” Boehret said. 

“It is not uncommon for fire departments and other emergency services to to be contacted to assist trained gas professionals in dealing with a gas emergency when a leak is occurring.”

Photo Credit:

The aftermath of the February 16 propane explosion in Sterling  that claimed the life of a volunteer firefighter, left 11 firefighters injured, and completely destroyed a home.  

Courtesy Photo: Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System