Please see the statement from Vice Chair Briskman’s office on the house explosion and ongoing investigation on Silver Ridge Drive in the nearby Seneca Ridge community:
Vice Chair Briskman is following the guidance of Loudoun County Fire and Rescue as they continue to manage the scene and conduct their Fire Marshal investigation. If any residents reach out with questions or concerns, please advise them to follow the official channels of Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. You can also direct them to Vice Chair Briskman’s office as they are putting out information on social media from Loudoun Fire and Rescue. Here is a link to the most up to date press release on the incident: https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=8937
If any residents are looking to donate and support the family of the fallen firefighter, we have been advised by the Fire Chief that they are working directly with the family to support them. At this time, no GoFundMe or other cash fund has been setup to directly support the family, as they are still working through this tragedy. If that changes, Vice Chair Briskman’s office will share that information out immediately. Residents can of course contribute to the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company directly if they wish to.
I know that it will be a long process of cleanup and recovery for the greater Sterling community and Algonkian District. Vice Chair Briskman and her team will keep regular contact with Fire and Rescue and relevant county agency staff to assist in the efforts to heal from this tragedy. I hope that you, your family, and neighbors are safe from this scary incident.
UPDATE – 4:00 PM on February 19th, 2024:
Message from Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue regarding how residents can support Firefighter Trevor Brown’s family and the other injured firefighters:
The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company are mourning the loss of Firefighter Trevor Brown who lost his life in an incident on Friday, February 16, 2024. The incident also injured ten firefighters on the scene with several remaining hospitalized.
As Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company mourn and heal, they thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of support from the Loudoun County community, the region and the Country. Many have inquired how they can assist the first responders in Loudoun County. If you would like to donate, please visit the website of their non-profit partners, the Loudoun First Responders Foundation (LFRF) at www.LoudounFRF.org. The Loudoun First Responders Foundation serves Loudoun County by providing immediate financial support to active first responder personnel in their time of need. To designate your donation specifically to the family of Firefighter Trevor Brown, please add “Brown Family” in memo line, if not specified, your donations will benefit injured firefighters.
For community members who wish to donate goods and services, please email LCCFRSdonate@loudoun.gov and their staff will reach out to you directly to coordinate. Additionally, many of you have expressed your heartfelt condolences to the family of firefighter Brown and the injured members of LC-CFRS. An email address, LCCFRScondolences@loudoun.gov has been set up to collect those messages and share them with their responders.
The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company also shared the following directions for any residents interested in food donations: If you are interested in making food donations over the next few weeks, Sterling Volunteer Fire Company asks that you please call them at Station 18 in Cascades at 703-430-4013 so that they can put you on their schedule. This schedule will apply to both of their fire stations.
Suggestions from Juli Briskman’s office for the best places for residents to continue to get updates:
- Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue: https://www.facebook.com/LoudounFireRescue
- Sterling Volunteer Fire Company: https://www.facebook.com/SterlingFire
- Loudoun Career Firefighters Association – IAFF Local 3756: https://www.facebook.com/iaff3756
Further updates on this situation will be posted to the CountrySide website; please check there for further information