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Louisville factory explosion injures 11 workers as cause remains unknown

By Chris Williams
Published  November 12, 2024 5:31pm CST
Kentucky
Fox TV Stations

People trapped or missing after Louisville explosion

A neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky, neighborhood is under a shelter-in-place order after a large explosion was heard throughout the city. Louisville first responders are calling the scene a "hazardous materials incident." A shelter in place was issued for a 1-mile radius from the area, officials said. The address of the explosion is Givaudan Sense Colour, a natural food coloring plant.

The Brief 

    • Explosion at Louisville’s Givaudan plant injures 11, with 2 in critical condition; cause unknown.
    • No chemical hazards detected; initial shelter-in-place lifted.
    • Footage shows major building damage; all employees accounted for.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Eleven employees were hurt and taken to the hospital after an explosion on Tuesday at a Louisville, Kentucky, business that produces natural color for foods and drinks.

What caused the explosion at Givaudan Sense Colour remains unknown. 

News video footage showed an industrial building with the middle section burned and partially collapsed.

The University of Louisville Hospital treated seven of the people injured and two of them are in critical condition, said Dr. Jason Smith, chief medical officer for University of Louisville Health.

Drone footage of the explosion at Givaudan Sense Colour in Louisville. (Credit: WDRD)

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said officials spoke to employees inside the plant. "They have initially conveyed that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred," he said.

Greenburg said officials have accounted for everyone who was working at the plant at the time of the explosion. Officials would not comment on the severity of the injuries received by the people who were taken to hospitals.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said air monitoring began immediately after the explosion and "nothing at this point has ever shown any type of chemical problems in the air in this entire region." O’Neill also said that fire officials "don’t precisely know yet exactly what types of leaks may happen or may be ongoing," but he urged residents to stay calm.

Louisville Metro Emergency Services had urged people within a mile of the business to shelter in place, but that order was lifted about two hours after the explosion.

 

  • The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story comes from statements by key officials involved in the response to the explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville including Dr. Jason Smith, chief medical officer at University of Louisville Health and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. This story was reported from Los Angeles.