Navy Veteran Killed In Explosion At VA Campus Identified

WEST HAVEN, CT — The Navy veteran killed in a steam explosion at the VA hospital campus in West Haven on Friday has been identified as Euel Sims Jr.

Sims, 60, of Milford, was working as a plumbing executive at the VA after serving in the U.S. Navy and retiring after 21 years in the Naval Construction Battalions, also known as the Seabees.

Sims and a contractor were killed after an explosion occurred around 8 a.m. Friday in the basement of a building where a leaky steam pipe was being replaced, according to officials. Three other victims were treated for minor injuries. The contractor’s name hasn’t been released as of Tuesday.

“Our hearts go out to the families, both for Mr. Sims and the family of the contractor,” Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie said during a news conference Tuesday.

Wilkie, who was in West Haven to tour the facility, said there is an ongoing joint federal and state investigation into the incident. He also offered condolences to Sims’ family and colleagues.

Wilkie said Sims was the “example of what we all strive to be, which is putting service before self.”

“I know that when he left the Navy, his desire was to continue to serve those who have served and he did that honorably,” Wilkie said during a news conference.

Sims is survived by his wife Cynthia, two sons and four grandchildren, according to his obituary.

After a career of traveling the world with the Navy Construction Battalions, Sims made a decision “to continue to serve veterans” and had been at the VA since retiring, Wilkie said.

Wilkie also addressed the state of the VA facility and said “massive improvements are coming to West Haven.”

The infrastructure changes, which have already been approved, are coming to the West Haven facility. But Wilkie said that even with those changes, most of the federal government “runs on steam and that probably would not change regardless of the upgrades to the building.”

Wilkie, who was nominated to his post by President Donald Trump, thanked Gov. Ned Lamont for his collaboration during “this very divisive time.”

“We have an outstanding relationship,” Wilkie said. “He has always been there for veterans and to speak with me. Not only about their needs, but about how the VA can help the citizens of Connecticut. I wish that kind of spirit would permeate the entire country.”