LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two people are dead, more are hospitalized and people in a Louisville neighborhood are cleaning up damaged homes after an explosion at a caramel coloring factory on Tuesday.
The explosion was reported at the Givaudan Sense Colour manufacturing plant in the 1900 block of Payne Street around 3 p.m. The plant is known for producing caramel color in soft drinks.
Louisville Mayor Greenberg held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss recovery efforts and give details on what officials know about the blast.
Many homes and businesses near the factory were damaged in the fallout from the explosion. WHAS11 talked to many neighbors with shattered windows. Some said they faced thousands of dollars in damages.
During the conference Greenberg advised residents not to pick up or remove any debris or damage related to the explosion.
He and other officials are advising people to call MetroSafe at 502-574-2117 if they see debris or if their home sustained damage. Greenberg said being able to properly assess the damages and inspect debris will be helpful to investigators as they look into what caused the explosion. He also advised residents to reach out to their insurance companies.
In an update Thursday evening, Greenberg said the company has also asked residents to direct questions by calling 1-800-856-3333 and reference "DDW" or "Givaudan." Residents can also send an email to the company here.
Neighbors' property damage
Many people in the area spoke about the extensive damages their property sustained from the blast.
One landlord described how the windows were blown in on her property, and the tenant saw things falling off the wall.
"She called me right after it happened," Kim Hart said. "She actually showed me on FaceTime the building, and it was just covered in smoke."
Quill's Coffee off Frankfort Avenue had its front window shattered. A coffee shop employee told WHAS11 News customers were inside the shop at the time of the explosion, but none were close by the front window and didn't receive any injuries. The damage will take thousands of dollars to repair.
Just down the road on Pope Street, shattered glass from broken windows lined the floor of a home that had been there for decades.
Nathan Rush is buying the property; he and his realtor were just outside the house when they heard the explosion.
"I've never heard a bomb, but I gotta imagine it would be a lot like that, and the echo -- everyone heard it," he said, "It was a sound wave that put pressure on your body."
The American Red Cross is also assisting neighbors who live near the explosion site and were displaced. You can reach out to them on their website or by phone at (502) 589-4450.
As of Wednesday, officials did not have updates about what lead to the explosion.
Officials during the conference did say there have been no hazardous chemicals found in the air since monitoring began after the explosion.