LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) – Officials say two people were killed following an explosion at a factory in Kentucky this week.
Louisville Metro Mayor Craig Greenberg provided more information on the explosion that happened Tuesday at the Givaudan Sense Colour factory in the Clifton neighborhood.
First responders were called around 3 p.m. to the reported explosion at 1901 Payne Street.
The Givaudan Sense Colour factory is located at the former DDW plant, which is about a few miles east of downtown.
Officials said an initial shelter-in-place order was issued for those in a one-mile radius, and some within a two-block radius were evacuated.
Officials said there were 12 people injured at the factory, and seven of them were sent to the University of Louisville Hospital.
Givaudan Sense Colour released a statement confirming two employees were killed in the explosion.
Mayor Greenberg said the first victim died while being taken to UofL Hospital and the second victim was found in the rubble when Louisville firefighters went back into the building that night to confirm all of the employees were accounted for.
“When you’re dealing with a large explosion like this and such a massive amount of destruction,” Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill said. “It’s going to be difficult, but again our people are experts in this. We have the assistance from the ATF, and what you’re basically trying to do is reconstruct that as best you can, but I’m not going to sit here and guarantee that we’ll be able to point a finger and pinpoint something exactly.”
Nearby homes were also damaged. Officials are asking residents to not touch or remove debris. Residents are encouraged to report any debris to MetroSafe at 502-574-2117.
Nearby residents can call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 if they have major structural damage to their homes or need a place to stay.
The exact cause of the explosion still isn’t known as the investigation continues.
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