LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several residents living closest to the Givaudan coloring factory are just beginning to salvage belongings and move out after Tuesday’s deadly explosion.
Two days after the explosion and resident Randy Crumley is sifting through the rubble in his apartment kitchen. Crumley shares an alley with the large Givaudan facility. The Tuesday afternoon blast blew out his kitchen window and large metal debris came crashing into his home like rockets.
“The window frame blew out, I don’t know. I think the glass probably shattered before the window blew out, but who knows,” Crumley told Spectrum News 1.
Crumley’s back door and window have been boarded up by building management and power is cut. On Thursday Crumley brought a friend and portable power bank to light his apartment to help him search and remove belongings. A large piece of metal, over 20 feet long, was thrown across his neighbor’s roof and is jutting into his living room.
“This side of it was mounted into the ground. You can see the bolts sticking out,” Crumley said.
The longtime Payne Street resident was home at the time of the explosion, but thankfully not in his kitchen. Crumley said his girlfriend was on the back step at the time of the explosion and narrowly missed being struck by debris launched by the blast. A metal fragment flew into his home and left a large dent several inches deep in Crumley’s kitchen stove.
Residents salvaged what they could while members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives canvassed the neighborhood removing debris. Some pieces were so large skid loaders were being used to move parts of the factory that landed on Payne Street.
The ATF have informed residents not to remove any debris themselves, no matter the size.
Mike O’Leary, president of the Clifton Community Council, a volunteer organization, spent the day checking on his neighbors and wondering why he hasn’t seen or spoken to any Givaudan representatives.
“The company has not opened up a line of communication to us. What I would like is for the company representative to come and, even if they under attorney's advice can’t say anything, they can listen to us,” O’Leary said.
O’Leary said the Clifton Community Council is holding a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 18 and expects a big turnout as the residents affected by the explosion plan their next steps in recovery.
“We don’t bite, but we’re frustrated,” O’Leary said.
Two people were killed in the blast and several others were seriously injured and Payne Street residents, like Crumley, are relying on friends and family for a place to stay.
Crumley said his landlord plans to tear his building down.
“Yeah, they said they are going to give the deposit back, so that will be good. I guess,” Crumley said.
On Friday, Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced Givaudan has established a phone number and email address for residents to ask questions. The telephone number is 1-800-856-3333. Residents are asked to mention either “DD” or “Givaudan” when calling in.