Chemical Safety Board Investigating Fatal Louisville Explosion

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced that it is sending a team of investigators to Louisville, KY, to investigate the fatal explosion that occurred last week on Nov. 12, 2024, at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville, KY. Two employees were killed and eleven others were injured by the explosion.

“The CSB began an initial inquiry into this terrible incident last week when it happened and collected information from local officials, the ATF, and the company itself," said CSB Chairperson Steve Owens. "We are now deploying an investigative team to the scene to conduct formal interviews, document the incident site, and gather important evidence to help ensure that a terrible tragedy like this does not happen again.”

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, officials announced that the failure of a facility machine was the cause of the incident. During a Monday morning news conference, Louisville Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow said the failure of a cooking vessel on the south side of the facility led to a "catastrophic event," which has been ruled accidental.

However, until the CSB releases its report, this is not the end of the investigation. A six-person team from CSB was to arrive at the site on Tuesday. According to the company, in addition to the fatalities, serious injuries, and damage to the facility itself, a section of the pressure vessel was ejected beyond the fence line and damaged a residential unit.

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