WEST HAVEN — Two people are dead and three others injured following a steam pipe explosion on the campus of a local veteran’s hospital Friday morning, a fire official said.

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Reports came in for a reported steam pipe explosion in one of the buildings at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 950 Campbell Ave.

Alfred Montoya, director of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, said workers had begun replacing a leaking steam pipe in an outer building around 7:30 a.m. The pipe had been replaced by 8 a.m., he said; as it was re-filled with steam, it exploded.

He termed it a “regularly scheduled replacement of a leaky steam pipe.” All other employees were accounted for, he said.

The identities of the two men were not released. One was a VA employee; the other was a contractor, Montoya said.

The explosion was in building 22, an official said. The hospital’s website shows it it as a building not involved in direct patient services.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who is a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said in remarks in Hartford Friday that one of the victims was a VA employee the other was a contractor.

Three other individuals were injured and treated on scene, according to Trooper Josue Dorelus of the Connecticut State Police.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, Dorelus said.

Blumenthal said the building where the explosion took place is apart from the hospital facility and no patient was in danger. “No other injuries are known at this time,” he said.

During a latter press conference at the hospital, Blumenthal said, “This tragedy is especially moving and saddening during a pandemic.”

Blumenthal however also spoke of the age of the facility, noting the need to redouble “our efforts” to to fully fund VA facilities across the country “most prominently this one.”

He said despite the “world class care” veterans receive, the hospital has the “structure and bones of a 1950s building with a newer shell,.”

“This building is past its sell by date,” he said,

U.S. Sen, Chris Murphy, also D-Conn. offered condolences and thanks to all involved, and noted “we don’t know what happened.”

There “may be a connection between the age of the building and what happened but we don’t know that (yet),” Murphy said.

“We received a report this morning that an explosion occurred at the West Haven campus of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System that resulted in two deaths in a non-patient care area,” United States VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. “Neither of the victims were VA patients and patient care was not affected. Emergency personnel were on the scene.

“Our prayers are with the families of the victims of this explosion,” Wilkie said. “More information will be provided as it becomes confirmed and available.”

Connecticut State Police said detectives from the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit responded to help local investigators and fire marshals with the explosion.

James Lally, a spokesman with the agency’s Boston office, said OSHA officials “are aware of the incident and are gathering more information.”

The victims were not patients at the hospital. The scene was secured.

Blumenthal said, “there must be a full and complete investigation as to what was the cause for this fatal, tragic explosion — our veterans deserve the best care, and the safest and most reliable work, always.”

“It is sad day in America, as we continue to learn more about the incident at the West Haven VA this morning. Our hearts go out to the families of those individuals who have been impacted,” the state’s senior senator said.

He said that, as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he has been in contact with the hospital director and will remain in touch as more information becomes available.

“The Leadership and Staff of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) are deeply saddened by the tragic accident at the Federal VA in West Haven and extend our condolences and prayers to the families of the victims and to our Federal colleagues who continue to care for Connecticut’s Veterans,” Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi said.

IAFF, Local 1198, the union representing West Haven firefighters, said the steam explosion was in an “outside building facility.”

“Unfortunately as a result, two workers lost their lives,” the union said in a statement later Friday morning. “Multiple local, state, and federal agencies remain on scene investigating. Our condolences to the workers who passed away from this tragic incident.”

Charlie Brough, vice president with Mulvaney Mechanical, said the company had been told about a significant event at the hospital involving its personnel, including the death of one of its team members.

A truck bearings the company’s logo was visible within the police tape set up at the hospital.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said she thanks the “many first responders for assisting the hospital in this tragic incident.”

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the two individuals who lost their lives at the VA,” she said in an email.

Shortly after 10 a.m. West Haven police asked drivers to avoid the area of the hospital because of “traffic concerns.” Police said it was an “isolated incident with no threats to the public.”

State Rep. Charles Ferraro, R-West Haven, said, “It is absolute tragedy that there is a loss of life.”

The lawmaker said his wife worked at the VA hospital for 40 years and only recently retired.

“My heart goes out the families for their loss,” Ferraro said.

State Sen. James Maroney, D-West Haven, also offered his condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their life in the explosion at the VA today,” Maroney said in an email. “I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the first responders who are on hand dealing with the situation as we wait to find out what caused the explosion.”

Maroney is co-chairman of the legislature’s Veterans Affair Committee and represents Senate District 14, which includes parts of West Haven.

Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement, “State emergency management officials are actively working with local and federal officials to respond to the explosion that occurred this morning at the West Haven VA Medical Center and will continue to provide as much aid as necessary to conduct an investigation. Early indications are that this appears to have been caused by a steam pipe.

“At this time we can confirm that there have been two deaths, and our hearts go out to their families and colleagues at the VA center. This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and I have instructed our state agencies to provide full resources as the response and investigation continues.”

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said, in an emall, “We are saddened to hear the news of the tragedy at the West Haven VA this morning.

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“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two workers who were killed as a result of this tragic event,” Kelley said. “We are thankful to the first responders and those who are involved in investigating the cause of this horrific event.”

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Local 2138 of the American Federation of Government Employees represents 270 workers at the VA, the spokesperson said.

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It was unclear what might have prompted the explosion.

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Ben Lambert, Tara O’Neill, Luther Turmelle, and Pam McLoughlin contributed to this story. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.