LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Clifton community is still reeling after Tuesday’s explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour plant that left two people dead, several other workers injured and many nearby homes damaged.


What You Need To Know

  • Clifton residents said they're still in shock over Tuesday's explosion that killed two people and injured several others

  • Many community members want to see the Givaudan Sense Colour plant relocate somewhere else, away from residential areas

  • A neighborhood meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 18, where residents will voice their thoughts with city officials

A meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m., giving community members an opportunity to talk with city officials. Some residents said they're unsure if the meeting will lead to the end result they're hoping for, which is to relocate the facility away from the neighborhood.

“My expectations for the meeting are just a bunch of more high-level rhetoric out of them,” said Randy Crumley, who was living in a duplex across from the facility. “That’s all you’ve seen out of them on the news and I guess, probably, very few solutions.”

Debris from the Givaudan Sense Colour Plant explosion Nov. 12, 2024, in the yard of a home at 1907 Payne St., which is directly across the street from the factory. (Spectrum News 1/David Williams)

Crumley will need to relocate because of the damage to his building. He spent Saturday gathering his belongings.

Despite the uncertainty of what will come of Monday’s meeting, many residents said they plan to attend.

“I feel like it’s going to be a fight,” said Cherise Williams, who has a house in the neighborhood. “I do feel like it’s going to be a fight.”

Williams said this is the third explosion at the facility since she purchased her house more than 30 years ago. She said there was one explosion in the mid-1990s and another in 2003. Tuesday’s incident has her wanting to see change.

“It’s just so scary,” Williams said. “It’s time for them to go.”