In Louisville, Kentucky, at least 11 people were injured in an explosion in a neighborhood east of the downtown area. The explosion occurred at the Givaudan Sense Colours, a company that makes natural food colorings, resulting in a hazardous materials incident. The Louisville Metro Police responded to the scene and blocked off the surrounding roadways. The Louisville Fire Department described the incident as a “large-scale incident,” with no fatalities reported. The injured individuals were taken to local hospitals, but their conditions were not disclosed.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill stated that the emergency response was for an explosion, structural collapse, and hazardous material incident. Firefighters were able to rescue one person who was trapped, and assisted others in escaping the building. Evacuations were done as a precautionary measure, due to the uncertainty of the situation. Air monitoring was conducted to ensure the safety of the area, and no chemical issues were found that would cause concern.
Video footage showed a significant police and emergency services presence at the scene. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and officials have not provided additional information. Monitoring will continue as structural issues could cause new leaks. The public is advised to stay updated on the situation as more information becomes available.
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