VA to consider West Haven blast investigation
IG reviewing Blumenthal’s call for probe of fatal VA hospital explosion
WEST HAVEN — The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General is reviewing U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s call for an investigation into conditions that preceded a November deadly explosion at the West Haven VA hospital, officials said.
“Truly a tragic event,” Fred Baker, director of communications for the VA Office of the Inspector General, said in an email.
“The Office of the Inspector General has received Senator Blumenthal’s request and is reviewing it at this time,” Baker said.
During a press conference earlier this month, Blumenthal said two whistleblowers had shared documents, dating back to 2018, that claimed that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allegedly had been given information regarding the hospital’s infrastructure, before Euel Sims, 60, and Joe O’Donnell, 36, were killed when a steam pipe exploded in a building on the hospital’s campus on Nov. 13.
Concerns were shared about the steam pipes at the hospital, among more general issues with the working conditions there, Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal said this week he had “every reason to believe” that the OIG would take up the investigation, noting that the office had informed his staffers that a judgment on whether an inquiry would commence would be made within a few weeks.
“From the indications we’ve been given, (there are) very solid and sound reasons to begin an investigation, because there are a lot of questions that need to be answered,” Blumenthal said.
He said part of the investigation must be into working conditions and whether federal oversight was working appropriately. He said the public has a right to know the information.
“And especially when we’re dealing with veterans, and brave and dedicated employees at the VA, we want to make sure that there’s accountability... I am absolutely determined to uncover whatever facts are necessary to assure that working conditions are safe for the employees and for anyone serving our veterans, and to make sure that our veterans receive the best possible services,” Blumenthal said.
Pamela Redmond, a spokesperson for the VA’s public affairs office, has said that the agency was unable to comment on the accident, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was looking into the incident.
Redmond has said, “Due to an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment on this matter.”
“Our prayers are with the families of the victims,” Redmond has said. “We are cooperating fully with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is leading this investigation, and remain committed to ensuring we provide a safe environment for our staff and patients.”
In observance of the federal holiday, the VA media office was closed Thursday and Friday, according to an email response to a request for further comment.