STERLING, Va. (7News) — A firefighter is dead and several others are injured after several crews were called to the scene of a house explosion in Sterling, Virginia Friday night.

According to James Williams, Assistant Chief of Operations for Loudoun County Fire, initial crews responded to a home located at 347 Silver Ridge Drive around 7:40 p.m. Once firefighters were inside the residence, the home exploded.

James said nine firefighters and two civilians, some suffering serious and others minor injuries, were transported to hospitals for treatment. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

“I said this is the worst call that we can respond to. And this is a time where we need to support each other and hold each other up,” James said.

7News was live at the scene. Watch live below:

Several fire crews remain on the scene working to extinguish flames left behind. The fire is expected to smolder for an undetermined amount of time. James said this would be an extended scene “complicated by the weather.” There is a large police and emergency crew presence in the area.

7News spoke to John Padegett, a neighbor near the burning home who told us he heard the explosion and witnessed the aftermath.

“Whole house shook it was a huge explosion and well fortunately I had walked my dog earlier and I smelled gas and someone in our neighborhood actually called the fire department to come to check on a gas leak,” said Padegett. “…it looked like an inferno… it was horrific it looked like something out of a war zone.”

All of the firefighters are out of the building.

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The fire is under investigation led by the Fire Marshal’s Office of Loudoun County.

This story is developing. Stay with 7News for the latest updates.