At least 11 employees injured in explosion at Kentucky business
At least 11 employees were taken to the hospital after an explosion at a Louisville, Ky., company that produces natural colorings for food and beverages.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — At least 11 employees were taken to the hospital after an explosion Tuesday at a Louisville, Ky., company that produces natural colorings for food and beverages.
The cause of the explosion at Givaudan Sense Color was unknown. News video footage showed an industrial building whose central part was on fire and partially collapsed.
No one answered the phone at the company’s Louisville office. A man who responded to the Port Washington, Wis., office declined to comment.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said officials spoke to employees inside the plant. “They initially indicated that everything was going normally when the explosion happened,” he said.
Greenburg said authorities accounted for everyone who worked at the plant at the time of the explosion. Authorities would not comment on the severity of the injuries suffered by those taken to hospital.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said air monitoring began immediately after the explosion and “nothing at this point has ever shown any chemical problem in the air in any this region. O’Neill also said firefighters “don’t yet know exactly what types of leaks might be occurring or might be in progress,” but he urged residents to remain calm.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services had urged people within a mile of the business to shelter in place, but that order was lifted about two hours after the explosion.
