One dead, eleven injured in house explosion in Virginia The Japanese space agency reports successful launch of the H3 rocket

Authorities say a firefighter has been killed in a home explosion in northern Virginia. Eleven other people, including nine firefighters, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after the explosion on Friday evening, James Williams of the local fire brigade said at a news conference.

He described the scene at the scene as “total devastation”. A “debris field” extends far into the street and the adjacent houses.

Fire and rescue workers were dispatched to the house in Sterling, west of the capital Washington, around 7:40 a.m. (local time, Saturday 12:40 CET) for an “investigation,” Williams said. He did not provide further details about what would be investigated there. According to Williams, emergency services were at the home at the time of the explosion.

Images on local television and photos and videos on online networks showed the smoldering ruins of the house, as well as debris strewn in the street. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. (saw/sda/afp)