LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News ) – Officials say two people were killed in an explosion at a Kentucky factory this week.

Metro Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg offered more information about the explosion that occurred Tuesday at the Givaudan Sense Color plant in the Clifton neighborhood.

First responders were called around 3:00 PM to the reported explosion at 1901 Payne Street.

The Givaudan Sense Color factory is located at the former DDW factory, which is a few miles east of the city center.

Officials said an initial shelter-in-place order was issued for those within a one-mile radius, and some within a two-block radius were evacuated.

Officials said there were 12 people injured at the plant, and seven of them were sent to University of Louisville Hospital.

Givaudan Sense Color released a statement confirming that two employees were killed in the explosion.

Mayor Greenberg said the first victim died while being taken to UofL Hospital, and the second victim was found in the rubble when Louisville firefighters returned to the building that night to confirm all employees had been identified.

“When you’re dealing with a large explosion like this and this amount of destruction,” said Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill. “It will be difficult, but again our people are experts at this. We have assistance from the ATF, and basically what you’re trying to do is piece this together as best you can, but I’m not going to sit here and guarantee that we’ll be able to point the finger and pinpoint something. .”

Nearby houses were also damaged. Authorities are asking residents not to touch or remove the debris. Residents are encouraged to report any debris to MetroSafe at 502-574-2117.

Nearby residents can call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 if they have major structural damage to their homes or need a place to stay.

The exact cause of the explosion is still unknown as the investigation continues.

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