LEESBURG, Va. — Many members of the Loudoun County community lined a route for the procession for the Loudoun County volunteer firefighter killed in a house explosion.
It’s been four days since Trevor Brown, 45, died while responding to a gas leak from a 500-gallon propane tank on Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling.
The procession to move his body started at the medical examiner’s office in Prince William County and ended at a funeral home on Catoctin Circle in Leesburg.
Members of different departments were parked on the side of the road to pay their respects including the Loudoun Fire & Rescue, Loudoun Co. Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg Police and Leesburg Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s been emotional for everybody,” Michele Bowman of Leesburg Police said.
Among the people who lined the streets included Nancy Morgan, whose son responded to the scene as the emergency medicine physician.
“It reminds me that his job and the job of the people he works with is very dangerous,” Morgan told WUSA9. “I just wish we didn't have to be here, but I'm glad to see all these people turning out and saying thank you for this gentleman's life.”
Meanwhile, Atiti Kadakia’s daughter asked her to watch the procession. Kadakia’s daughter knew Brown since she served on the team.
“I know how hard they work and how much time they give themselves to this service, so, I can give them some of my time for this event,” Kadakia said.
The Sterling Volunteer Fire Company chief said there’s peer support as the department grieves Brown’s loss.
He stressed the investigation process will take quite some time. Investigators have only released that the firefighters responded to the home because of a gas leak from a 500-gallon propane tank.
“It's methodical work,” Chief David Short said. “It's going to take a long time. I don't want to rush any information. Give them the time and space to work and they’re going to do the best job they can.”
“It is an emotional toll and I think I'm holding up pretty good but every day I think I saw the hardest thing I could possibly see and then there's tomorrow,” he added.