Indictment Results From Loudoun County Home Explosion With Firefighter Death

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A former gas supplier employee has been indicted in the February home explosion in Loudoun County that killed volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown.

Brown, a firefighter with the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, died in the Feb. 16 home explosion at 347 Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling. Dozens of others were injured, and the explosion caused a total loss of the home and damage to surrounding homes.

Firefighters traced back the cause of the explosion to a 500-gallon underground propane tank. Uncontained propane in the tank migrated into and around the structure and was ignited by an unknown source, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue.

On Monday, a grand jury in Loudoun County Circuit Court heard findings of the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue investigation. That led to an indictment of Roger Bentley, who had worked for Southern States Cooperative, Inc. – Leesburg – Fairfax Petroleum Service. Bentley is charged with involuntary manslaughter; unlawful failure to maintain required records of an unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials, namely, liquified petroleum gas; and unlawful failure to control or mitigate the unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials, namely, liquified petroleum gas (propane).

Fox5DC reported that search warrants indicated the homeowner had contacted the propane supplier about servicing the home's tank, which was intended for a pool that wasn't used. The. report said that Southern States Cooperative knew about the tank concern for years but didn't address it because it wasn't being used.

On the day of the explosion, an employee filled the propane tank and noticed a propane smell, according to Fox5DC. He contacted supervisors, and Bentley responded and decided to "let the petroleum seep out." The home explosion happened four hours later, and Bentley had tried to contact the homeowner not long before the explosion and afterward.

Fire personnel had been investigating a gas leak report at the home when the explosion occurred. Brown was identified as a firefighter with the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System since 2016. He is survived by his wife and three children.

In light of the home explosion, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue urged the following safety tips for propane use:

• Have your propane system and appliances installed, inspected, serviced, and repaired by your propane retailer or a qualified professional.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and understand the warnings concerning the system and appliances.
• Check VA Miss Utility 811 to locate underground gas lines and tanks to avoid damaging them when digging or working on the premises. Protect all valves and gauges from the elements or insects by keeping them well covered.
• To identify a propane leak, listen for hissing or blowing sounds and look for blowing dirt or dying vegetation. If you smell a rotten-egg-like odor, you may have a propane leak.
• If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, stop what you’re doing and leave the area immediately. If you're inside, get out immediately. If you're outside, leave the area quickly. Call 911 and your propane retailer from a safe location away from the building. Do not return to the building or area until a qualified professional determines it is safe to do so.