LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In November, an explosion in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood left two people dead, injured others, and damaged several homes.
As cleanup efforts remain ongoing, neighbors are still dealing with the aftermath, including displacement from their homes.
"The damage that blast caused, we're still finding stuff," said Patrick Livers, who's lived on nearby Haldeman Avenue more than a decade. "It's looking like exterior walls have to come down."
Livers said his home's framing is twisted and drywall will be needed in every room.
"I'm sure there's still a lot of people who are way worse off than I am from it," he said.
Patrick Livers' home near Givaudan plant in Louisville.
Livers said despite being a contractor himself, he's in a holding pattern to actually get much work started.
"After insurance lifts the red tape, I'm hoping it'll be sometime in January," Livers said. "If not, then, who knows what's going on?"
As for being able to move himself and his family back into the home, he's hopeful that can happen in late spring or summer.
"That's all 'what ifs,' up in the air," he said.
He said he's also dealt with people trying to take advantage of his now-vacant home. He usually hosts Christmas there but under the circumstances, those plans changed this year. While away, he got a call from a neighbor who told him it appears someone tried to break into his garage.
"The one day I don't make it over here during a holiday, it's like, 'Oh my gosh, now somebody broke in again,'" Livers said, thankful to have already moved out anything valuable.
Lawsuits have been filed since the explosion from neighbors citing physical pain and suffering and loss of income, as well as another suit accusing Givaudan of negligence.
Officials said the cause of the explosion was a cooking vessel failure.
The ATF has worked alongside the Louisville Fire Department to investigate the cause which Shawn Morrow, special agent in charge of the Louisville field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives called an "industrial accident, and there's no indication anyone did anything intentional to cause the explosion."
As for the site itself now, Louisville MSD posted this online Friday:
"MSD remains actively involved in the response to the November 12 explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour plant more than a month later. Our Industrial Waste Department, after helping the fire department identify onsite chemicals and monitoring runoff into nearby Beargrass Creek is still on the scene. Although the cleanup has progressed and the situation remains stable, the team visits almost daily to provide regulatory oversight and to be involved in the conversations surrounding remediation efforts."
A spokesperson told WDRB News that MSD "plays a supporting role from a regulatory perspective" and it monitors local waterways on a regular basis.
Givaudan did not respond to a request Friday about the cleanup efforts.
For questions directly related to Givaudan, call or text (502) 341-2903. Emails can also be sent to communitysupport@ddwcolor.com.
Previous Coverage:
- A month after Givaudan explosion, Clifton residents struggle with aftermath as lawsuits mount
- Givaudan releases new contact number for Louisville residents affected by plant explosion
- Clifton resident forced to leave home after Givaudan plant explosion
- Neighbors of Givaudan plant in Louisville file lawsuit over explosion that damaged homes
- Confusion and fear after Givaudan plant explosion disrupts lives of Louisville residents
- Louisville man seeks class action status in lawsuit over Givaudan plant explosion
- Cold weather brings new obstacles for Clifton residents cleaning up from Givaudan explosion
- Neighbors navigate uncertain future in wake of deadly Givaudan plant explosion in Louisville
- Cooking vessel failure cited as cause of Louisville plant explosion
- Givaudan employee describes 'lots of leaks' at Louisville plant that exploded
- After deadly blast, Louisville leader says Clifton residents 'want the company gone'
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