LOUISVILLE, Ky. — No fatalities were reported and at least 11 people have been hospitalized following an explosion at a factory in Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood.
The incident was reported at the Givaudan Sense Colour manufacturing plant in the 1900 block of Payne Street around 3 p.m. Tuesday. The plant is known for producing caramel color in soft drinks.
Everyone employed at the facility had been accounted for, including two people who had to be rescued from the building by the Louisville Fire Department.
Chief Ryan O’Neal credited the quick action of plant personnel for getting people to safety.
“They worked with us greatly to get those people out,” he said. “They were very helpful to make sure that we could try to identify the different solvents and chemicals they use at this business.”
Mayor Craig Greenberg said homes in the vicinity were evacuated after the explosion. It is not yet known what chemicals may have been involved in the explosion or released into the air.
It led them to issue a one-mile shelter in place that was lifted just before 5 p.m.
Residents and nearby businesses had reported broken and shattered windows due to the explosion including at Clifton Baptist Church.
“I’m working at my desk and I just felt the windows shake [and] immediately knew something was different, ran outside and noticed the windows next door at Quill’s were on the ground and immediately started seeing people come out. It’s was around that time I started to look back at our building and saw pieces of our window out on the sidewalk as well,” Jason Deming, pastor of executive leadership, said.
This is not the first time an incident has occurred at the plant.
In April 2003, one person was killed at the plant after a catastrophic vessel failure, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
UofL Hospital is treating seven of the 11 patients while the others went to area hospitals. Two people were in critical condition as of 6 p.m.
Investigators say it will take some time to determine the cause of the plant explosion.
Payne Street has since reopened to residents.