Officials from Fort Bragg are currently investigating the death of a Hamlet man who died shortly after noon on Friday on one of the base’s impact zones after stepping on live ammunition.

Officials say that Ronnie Blue, 47, of Hamlet, and another unidentified man ignored several large signs warning them that the impact zone may contain unexploded projectiles, but they suspect they ignored the signs and were searching for scrap metal.

“It’s still under investigation,” Jackie Thomas, a spokesperson with Fort Bragg said.

The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. on the impact area of Observation Point 5 when Blue stepped on a live round which detonated beneath him.

The base received a phone call shortly thereafter alerting them that Blue may have been killed by the explosion.

The impact zones are off-limits, according to Fort Bragg officials, especially due to safety concerns.

On these impact zones, all ordnance is considered live, which accounts for Blue’s death.

Neither of the men work for the Department of the Army and were both civilians.

The second man remains unidentified, and uninjured, due to the fact the case is still under investigation, according to Fort Bragg.

Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.