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Following an investigation, Roger Bentley, a former employee of Southern States Cooperative, Inc. – Leesburg – Fairfax Petroleum Service’s (Southern States), was charged for the Sterling explosion that claimed the life of Volunteer Firefighter Trevor Brown in February.
On Friday, Feb. 16, crews were called to investigate a home explosion on Silver Ridge Drive in Sterling that left 11 first responders with significant injuries and caused $2.5 million in damage.
The origin and cause of the explosion was determined to be the result of a leak involving a 500-gallon underground propane tank that was uncontained and migrated into and around the structure before being ignited by an unknown source.
After a thorough investigation by the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office (LCFR-FMO), charges have been filed, officials said, after the findings from the agency's investigation were presented to a Loudoun County grand jury on Monday, Oct. 21.
Bentley was charged with:
- Involuntary manslaughter;
- Unlawful release of hazardous materials, namely, liquified petroleum gas;
- Unlawful failure to maintain records of an unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials, namely, liquified petroleum gas;
- Unlawful failure to control or mitigate the unauthorized discharge of hazardous materials, namely, liquified petroleum gas.
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