LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Thursday, the governor of Kentucky made a commitment that investigators will uncover the reasons behind a devastating explosion at a factory in Louisville that has left residents seeking clarity. The incident occurred at Givaudan Sense Colour on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of two employees, injuring 11 others, and leading to a partial structure collapse of the facility, which specializes in producing colorants for food and beverages.
Located in a residential area east of downtown Louisville, the explosion struck in the afternoon, causing significant damage to nearby homes. Windows shattered, parts of roofs were dislodged, and decor from walls fell to the ground, prompting comparisons to a bomb detonation among some local residents.
“We will investigate thoroughly and ensure we understand all the details once the investigation concludes,” stated Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear during a press briefing in Frankfort. He emphasized the need for lessons learned from this incident to be disseminated to other companies to enhance safety measures.
Currently, teams composed of federal, state, and local authorities are examining the circumstances leading up to the explosion. Givaudan, the Swiss corporation that took ownership of the Louisville facility in 2021, expressed its sorrow over the tragedy and affirmed its cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The company extended condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragic event.
Residents in the vicinity voiced their frustrations, asserting a need for more direct communication from Givaudan regarding the incident. Carly Johnson, a local resident for the past 12 years, expressed discontent with the company’s minimal response, stating, “I feel that the company hasn’t done anything besides issuing a statement.”
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg mentioned that Givaudan was invited to partake in a press conference but did not send any representatives. Governor Beshear also expressed that community members deserved to receive information from the company, indicating, “Any business that experiences an explosion in its community should engage with the residents and reassure them of their commitment to safety.”
In response to inquiries regarding the governor’s comments, Givaudan did not provide an immediate reply. However, the company did inform local media that it intends to hold a community meeting next week to address residents’ concerns.
The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance has reported the fatalities, and an investigation has formally commenced, with the process expected to take up to six months to conclude.
Documentation filed with the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District indicates that as of February 2021, the factory was engaged in producing caramel colorings by heating sugar and water and introducing chemicals like aqueous ammonia. At that point, it was still under the ownership of D.D. Williamson & Co., prior to Givaudan’s acquisition.
A previous explosion at the same site in 2003 resulted in a fatality, with federal investigators attributing the cause to a lack of pressure relief valves on an explosion vessel, as detailed in a report from the Chemical Safety Board.
Local resident Robin Durkin recounted her experience during the recent blast, explaining how the intensity rattled her home, causing her television to topple and photos to fall from their frames. “I’ve never heard or felt anything like that,” she shared, describing the experience as devastating. “It was awful… I truly believed a bomb had exploded.”
In light of the incident, Johnson expressed her hope that the company would vacate the neighborhood, saying, “I’m not OK with them being here anymore.”