SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) Family, friends and co-workers by the hundreds are mourning Imperial Sugar employees killed in a deadly sugar refinery explosion last week as funerals begin for nine people who died from the blast.
More than 250 people filled the pews of Immanuel Baptist Church to memorialize 54-year-old Truitt Byers of Savannah. He was one of four employees whose funerals were held Saturday, with more burials to follow next week.
The Rev. Larry Williams told Byers wife and two children during the service they should not be afraid to cry or ask questions about the tragedy, as long as they never give up hope.
Byers worked as an operator mechanic for 22 years at the refinery, which produces Dixie Crystals brand sugar.
Investigators concluded Friday that sugar dust collecting in a basement area beneath the plant's storage silos ignited to cause the February 7 explosion.
Wednesday
July 16th, 2025
2:17AM
