By Erika Hernandez
Nov 13, 2024, 2:58 PM EST
Two people died and several others were injured after the explosion at the Givaudan Sense color factory in Louisville, Kentuckyon Tuesday afternoon, the company confirmed in a statement to Fox News.
Kentucky authorities said during a news conference that the explosion occurred around 3:00 p.m. in the 1900 block of Payne Street.
According to local media WLKY, The factory specializes in food coloring and is located in the city’s Clifton neighborhood.
It was previously reported that at least 11 employees were taken to hospitals, but the company detailed to Fox News that at least two people lost their lives.
“We grieve alongside the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives or were injured during this very difficult time. “City leaders have stated that there is no ongoing threat to those in the immediate vicinity or surrounding community,” a spokesperson for Givaudan Flavors Corp. said in a statement.
Aerial images showed smoke billowing from the damaged building, whose structure collapsed. You could also see the inside of the building, with a huge hole caused by the explosion.
“When our firefighters arrived, they carried out an aggressive interior attack. One person was trapped. We were able to get her out, rescue her and help others evacuate,” said Fire Chief Brian O’Neill.
O’Neill added that officials confirmed that There were no signs of “any type of chemical problems in the air.”
Givaudan’s statement said there were reports of damaged homes and buildings near the factory, and that the company is “supporting those affected.”
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a statement Tuesday night that officials have accounted for everyone who was working at the plant at the time.
He added that officials spoke with employees inside the plant and “initially conveyed to them that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred.”
The cause of the accident is being investigated.
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