LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Company officials from Givaudan plan to be at next week's community meeting in the wake of an explosion in Louisville that killed two people and damaged several homes.
A massive explosion occurred at the Givaudan Sense Colour factory in the Clifton neighborhood Tuesday afternoon. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Gov. Andy Beshear have appeared less than pleased with the company's immediate response, and Greenberg suggested Thursday the company should move the facility.
On Thursday, a Givaudan spokesperson told WHAS11 about next steps, including plans to speak with neighbors at Monday's community meeting.
"Our next steps include reaching out to the community to address their concerns and to provide the residents who were directly impacted with resources for conducting the repairs needed on their homes or businesses," they said. "We are finalizing this process now and will be able to provide details very shortly. We look forward to speaking with neighbors about this at the community meeting on Monday. We are committed to a simple, clear process that will help overcome the difficulties faced by the accident."
Many residents in the area have expressed frustration with the company's lack of response in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Greenberg noted at Wednesday's news conference that company representatives were invited to speak, but did not attend.
On Thursday, Beshear chimed on.
"Any company that has an explosion in a community ought to be there talking with the neighbors, assuring them that they're going to take reasonable steps," he said during his Team Kentucky update. "To operate where they operate, they need to be out in that community telling people first what happened, or telling them that they're committed to finding out what happened, and then to be fully transparent about it. Because we're certainly going to be. But then, to reassure them that they'll take steps so something like this doesn't happen [again]."
The community meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday at United Crescent Hill Ministries on State Street.
Damage to nearby homes and businesses included broken and blown out windows, large debris landing in yards, and foundational issues.
Two workers were killed in the explosion and 10 others were hospitalized. One worker died at the hospital.
A second worker was found dead inside the rubble hours after the company told first responders all workers were accounted for.
"Our immediate steps are to support the associates who were injured and the families of those we lost," the company spokesperson said. "We are working with each of them individually and we are committed to supporting them through this difficult time. We will ensure the best possible support for all people affected, but to respect their privacy, please understand that we cannot disclose any details."
WHAS11 reporter Travis Breese contributed to this story.
