LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Fire Department had an intense week, and the community is sharing their pride and gratitude for Louisville's first responders.
"They're practically holding the entire city on the palm of their hands," said resident Israel McCullough. "We as a city are grieving, but it also promotes more love and more support for what our fire department, EMS and police do."
Resident John Cerjak said, "hats off to them."
"Congratulations to the guys we have working in the fire department," Cerjak said. "I can't imagine how tired those guys must be."
On Tuesday, the Givaudan color dye factory plant exploded, killing two employees in the Clifton neighborhood. One employee was found by Louisville Fire inside the building, buried under rubble.
"I just couldn't believe it," McCullough said. "That something like that happened in our city's backyard that affected so many people both near and far."
On Thursday, a construction worker lived through a nearly 9-hour rescue. He was trapped in almost 12-feet of rubble and debris at the former Community Correctional center. It's now an active demolition site for the new LOUMed medical complex.
Three other factories across the Metro caught fire throughout the week, including Horton Fruit Company, Nugent Sand Company and a Zeon Chemicals plant. There were no reported injuries.
"Really? Again? That's all I thought," Cerjak said, reflecting on his reaction to the stream of news this week. "Is there going to be another one tomorrow? Who knows?"
Louisville Fire Chief Bryan O'Neill reflected on the tough week with WHAS11 News on Friday.
"I know going to work everyday that I am fortunate enough to be the chief of the greatest fire department in the universe," O'Neill said. "I know it everyday, and when the rest of the world get's to see it, it makes me proud."
Residents said that this is a week that's weighing on the community, but also a week where Louisville can come out more unified.
"The more that we struggle, the more that we face challenges both collectively and personally, the more that it promotes leaning on the community for strength, support and love," McCullough said. "That's what this city is known for."
"Shoutout to our first responders," Cerjak said. "Call your friends, call your parents, tell everybody you love them because you never know what's going to happen."
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, or visit our Facebook page or X feed.