Loudoun County community raises money for firefighters impacted by Sterling home explosion

Max Marcilla
·1 min read

LEESBURG, Va. (DC News Now) — On Friday night, tons of community members in Loudoun County got together to raise money for the firefighters hurt in the massive home explosion in Sterling.

The Loudoun First Responders Foundation (LFRF) donated all of the money it raised since Feb. 16 to a fund created for the 11 firefighters who were injured along with, 45-year-old volunteer Trevor Brown, who died. It will continue to pledge 100% of its money raised to that group through March 16.

Loudoun County community rallies around those affected by Sterling home explosion

LFRF hosted a fish fry on Friday night in Leesburg, presented by Fleur De Cuisine, just days before Brown’s funeral.

“Whatever they’re going through, we can ease their pain through this trying time,” said Mike Reilly, an investigator with Loudoun County Fire & Rescue.

Reilly joined many other first responders, both from LCFR and other agencies, as well as political leaders at the event. Loudoun County Board Chair, Phyllis Randall, spoke in front of the crowd at the beginning of the night.

“We have helped with medical expenses, mortgages, whatever the first responders need and their immediate time right now for financial support,” said Tina Johnson, the president of the Loudoun First Responders Foundation. “That’s what we’re there to do.”

Natalie Ramos, the CEO and founder of Fleur De Cuisine, said she is also catering Brown’s funeral. She described the night as “emotional.”

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“You don’t realize that one person can make a change,” she said. “When you see the efforts, you understand that one person can make that change.”

Reilly said only one of the firefighters injured by the explosion is still hospitalized — volunteer Brian Diamond. He remains in a burn unit, where he’s expected to stay for another month, according to Johnson.

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