An explosion rocked [1] Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, causing a partial building collapse that left at least 11 people injured.
Louisville Fire Department officials reported that the incident occurred in a commercial building on the 1900 block of Payne Street, where emergency responders swiftly moved to rescue employees and assess damage.
Dd Williamson plant just exploded in my neighborhood in louisville. Hope the workers are ok! pic.twitter.com/83lFAgFwYO [2]
— Stampeding cattle, they rattle… (@Jtoff7273) November 12, 2024 [3]
Early reports indicated concerns of people trapped or missing, though Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg later confirmed that everyone was accounted for and that no fatalities had been recorded.
The explosion caused significant destruction, leaving behind a charred structure in the Clifton area, as shown in aerial footage captured by CBS affiliate WLKY.
BREAKING: Reports indicate people are missing and others are trapped following an explosion at a factory in Louisville, Kentucky. City officials have issued a one-mile shelter-in-place order due to hazardous materials at the site. pic.twitter.com/hjyKkxq6fO [4]
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 12, 2024 [5]
Debris and remnants of the multi-story building were visible, highlighting the extent of the damage. Local residents reported hearing a loud blast from several miles away.
At the time of the explosion, the building housed businesses, including DD Williamson, a company producing natural food colorings, also known as Givaudan Sense Colour.
Authorities have yet to determine how many people were present in the building when the explosion occurred.
Mayor Greenberg addressed the incident, noting that the cause of the explosion remains unknown. “The cause at this point of the explosion is unknown,” Greenberg stated, emphasizing that, fortunately, no one lost their life in the blast.
All 11 individuals taken to local hospitals were reportedly employees of the business. According to initial reports from workers inside the plant, activities appeared normal leading up to the explosion. “They have initially conveyed that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred,” Greenberg said, referencing conversations between officials and employees who were present at the scene.
Louisville Fire Department labeled the explosion a “large scale incident” due to the significant structural damage and debris.
Here’s a look at what we can see so far after a workplace explosion was reported in Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood. A shelter in place order has been issued. More: https://t.co/r5lp7HEl6D [6] pic.twitter.com/7E3MOjchUh [7]
— WAVE (@wave3news) November 12, 2024 [8]
The blast prompted Louisville Metro Emergency Services to issue a shelter-in-place advisory for residents within a one-mile radius of the location, advising nearby individuals to remain indoors as a safety precaution.
Emergency services continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and are working to secure the area around the partially collapsed structure.
No additional updates have been provided regarding the conditions of those hospitalized.