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On February 16, 2024 Trevor Brown, a firefighter with the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, was killed in a house explosion.
STERLING, Va. — Two years after a home explosion killed Sterling Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown, community members gathered Monday night to honor his sacrifice and support his family.
The vigil was held at Firefighter Brown Memorial Park, created at the site where the house on Silver Ridge Drive exploded after crews responded to a reported gas leak.
Brown was killed in the blast, a tragedy that shook Loudoun County and deeply impacted the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company.
“He inspires all of us. He did then, he does now,” said Captain Daniel Fielden as he addressed the crowd.
“It has been extremely hard for Sterling Fire. It’s been extremely hard for the community, but we’ve persevered through with the strength of each other,” he said.
The park now serves as a place of remembrance for Brown’s wife and three children, as well as for residents who continue to mourn his loss.
“This park is for her to come with the family and the children and remember Trevor for what Trevor was to her and to her children,” said Kris Hjort, who served on the committee that helped build the park.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said the tragedy revealed the strength and closeness of the community.
“It did show how close the community is, how well everybody came together to help the family out in this moment of tragedy,” Chapman said.
Neighbors who felt the explosion described it as sounding like a truck slamming into their homes. Many brought their children to Monday’s vigil to teach them the importance of community support and to remember the risks first responders face every day.
The gathering came just one day after another explosion in Centreville, a reminder of the dangers first responders routinely encounter.
“It’s the ultimate sacrifice that all the first responders provide to us on a daily basis,” said Hjort. “Trevor came here to help, and he lost his life.”
Roger Bentley, a former propane technician charged in connection with the explosion, was scheduled to be sentenced in November. However, sentencing was delayed after defense motions were filed. His next hearing is scheduled for August.
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