2 Dead, 10 Wounded After Building Explodes In Louisville Neighborhood

At least two people were killed and nearly a dozen wounded when a factory in Louisville, Kentucky, was destroyed in an explosion on Tuesday.

All of the victims are employees of Givaudan Sense Colour, a factory that produces caramel color for soft drinks, ABC’s Louisville affiliate WHAS 11 reported. Images of the explosion’s aftermath showed that a large portion of the factory’s roof had caved as smoke rose into the air. The blast blew out windows in some houses in the Clifton neighborhood, the area that surrounds the factory,

Immediately after the explosion, city officials told people within a one-mile radius to shelter in place since hazardous materials could have leaked into the air. Around two hours later, officials said there was no longer a threat. The cause of the blast is still under investigation.

BREAKING: Reports indicate people are missing and others are trapped following an explosion at a factory in Louisville, Kentucky. City officials have issued a one-mile shelter-in-place order due to hazardous materials at the site. pic.twitter.com/hjyKkxq6fO

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 12, 2024

Twelve people were transported to the hospital following the explosion, and two of them who were in critical condition died overnight, according to WHAS 11.

The massive explosion was caught by a WAVE 3 News sky camera.

Our SkyTrack Camera in Downtown Louisville captured the explosion at a facility on Payne Street in Clifton around 2:58PM today. Live cameras: https://t.co/m24xrXRrXX pic.twitter.com/fxVW9Vm9VR

— Ryan Hoke ⚡️ (@RyanHokeWAVE3) November 12, 2024

“We are deeply saddened to share the news that two of our team members lost their lives in this accident. Several other individuals were also injured as a result. We are grieving with the families, friends, and loved ones of those that were lost and injured during this very difficult time,” Givaudan Sense Colour said in a statement.

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“We are in the early stages of investigating the cause of this incident and are cooperating with first responders and supporting agencies. We appreciate their heroic response and send our thanks to those in the community who have shown their support throughout the day,” the company added. “Our priority right now is on our team members, the families of those we have lost and those that were injured in this accident. We are in touch with them, and committed to supporting them in the coming days and weeks.”

Tuesday’s deadly explosion was not the first at the location. In 2003, when the building was owned by D.D. Williamson, one worker was killed when a “process vessel became over pressurized” and released 26,000 pounds of aqueous ammonia into the air, CNN reported.

“And you would think that after one explosion, it wouldn’t happen again. But here we are,” said Lorrie Hibbard, whose grandfather was killed in the 2003 accident. “All I heard was that there was an explosion at the plant again, and it just takes you right back to 2003.”