Explosion in Louisville: 11 Hospitalized, Neighborhood Evacuated

On November 12th, something unexpected happened in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood. Around 3 p. m. , an explosion rocked the Givaudan Sense Colour plant, formerly known as the DDW plant, at 1901 Payne Street. Eleven employees were rushed to the hospital, with two of them in critical condition. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Smith reported that the University of Louisville Hospital was treating seven of the injured workers. Five were stable, but two were fighting for their lives. Louisville Fire crews played a crucial role in rescuing some of the victims. Initially, a one-mile radius around the plant was placed under a shelter-in-place order. This was later lifted, but those within a two-block radius were evacuated as a precaution. The public was advised to avoid the area while fire crews worked to secure the scene. Mayor Craig Greenberg updated the public, stating that the cause of the explosion was still unknown. He assured everyone that all employees and nearby residents had been accounted for. Workers inside the plant reported that everything seemed normal before the explosion. Air quality in the area was deemed safe for the time being, but Greenberg urged the public to remain cautious. Businesses on Frankfort Avenue, like Quills Coffee and Osaka Japanese Restaurant, reported damage due to the blast. WAVE SkyTrack cameras captured the incident from a distance. The footage showed a spark igniting before a heavy cloud of smoke filled the air. This is an ongoing story, and more details are expected to emerge.