Louisville Hazardous Materials Explosion: What We Know

At least 11 people are hospitalized after an explosion at a manufacturing facility in downtown Louisville on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services issued a shelter-in-place for people within a one-mile radius of a reported explosion and fire in the city’s downtown area.
The Louisville Fire Department posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, at 3:45 p.m. ET that its department and multiple other agencies were on the scene for a “large scale incident” in the 1900 block of Payne Street. The city’s emergency services posted that there had been a “hazardous material incident.”
The explosion reportedly occurred at the Givaudan Sense Colour plant. The company is a manufacturer of natural food coloring, known for producing the caramel color for soft drinks, particularly for big names like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle.
Newsweek reached out to the Louisville Fire Department and Givaudan Sense Colour for comment.
“There has been a hazardous materials incident at 1901Payne St.,” the Louisville Metro Emergency Services posted on social media. “A shelter in place order has been issued for those in a one mile radius.”
“The cause at this point of the explosion is unknown,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “They have initially conveyed that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred.”
Greenberg added that no one died in the explosion. The 11 people transported to the hospital were employees.
According to the Associated Press, 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.
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.
An aerial video from CBS News showed a section of the plant’s roof fully exposed and caved in on itself, with smoke rising from the rubble. The outlet said there are reports of people missing and others trapped following the explosion.
A video from Louisville news station WAVE showed dozens of emergency medical service, fire and police cars in the area.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear asked people to follow the emergency service’s advice.
“Kentucky, there are reports of a hazardous materials incident at the 1900 block of Payne Street in Louisville,” he posted on social media. “For those in the area: Please follow guidance from local officials while responders work to secure the area. Britainy and I are praying for the safety of all involved.”
Reports on social media said the blast could be felt from the Highlands neighborhood and Shelby Park areas, about two to three miles away from Givaudan Sense Colour.
The Business Journals reported that commercial and residential buildings in the area had sustained damage, with some businesses’ front windows blown out.
The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) has rerouted “all buses that use Payne Street.” Riders are asked to call 502-585-1234 for assistance.
Givaudan Sense Colour, formerly D.D. Williamson and Co., is a subsidiary of the Swiss company Givaudan.
In 2003, a worker was killed at the food additive plant when a 1,000-gallon process vessel became over-pressurized and failed “catastrophically,” according to the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The failure released aqueous ammonia and caused extensive damage to the plant.
In 2009, Givaudan Sense Colour settled with the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency, agreeing to pay $600,000 in civil penalties.
Update 11/12/24, 4:46 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 11/12/24, 5:20 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 11/12/24, 7 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.