New Garden man victim of depot blast

CHAMBERSBURG » The U.S. Army announced one of five civilian employees injured in an explosion and fire at a military depot, a Chester County native, has died.

The army on Friday identified the victim as Eric Byers, 29, of New Garden Township. He died from burns on Thursday night at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Two others remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition following the explosion at the Letterkenny Army Depot, according to officials. Two other injured employees were treated, including one for smoke inhalation, and both have been released from medical care.

Letterkenny officials said the explosion occurred in a painting area for vehicles on Thursday morning that resulted in a fire at the facility in Chambersburg, Pa. The cause is under investi-

gation by the Letterkenny’s Safety and Engineering offices, U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the depot’s emergency and fire services.

The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office said Byers was handling chemicals when the flash fire occurred. The Coroner said Byers’ cause of death was ruled an accident caused by thermal injuries suffered in the fire.

“The entire Letterkenny family is mourning this loss,” Department Commander, Col. Stephen Ledbetter said Friday in a statement. “We continue to keep the families and all of our teammates in our hearts and prayers.”

Chaplains and counselors have deployed to Letterkenny to provide support, according to Ledbetter.

The 18,600-acre Letterkenny Army Depot is part of the Army Aviation and Missile Command. It handles air defense tactical missile ground support equipment, mobile electric power generation equipment, Patriot missile recertification and route guidance vehicles. Letterkenny is Franklin County’s largest employer, with more than 3,600 workers.

An explosion was reported around 7 a.m. Thursday at Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, Pa.