LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The winter weather brings a new set of challenges for Clifton residents dealing with debris left behind by the explosion at Givaudan Sense Colour.

The cold temperatures are moving in as residents near Givaudan are moving out. However, not everyone can escape the damage left behind by the explosion.

Patrick Livers can see the plant from his bedroom window. He works in construction and has been renovating his house for about a decade. It's a passion project and "never-ending remodel" for him. It's also the only home his two sons have ever spent the holidays.

"It's just tough, ya know?" Livers said about the aftermath of the explosion.

But now, they've temporarily moved into an apartment because of the explosion that killed two people and injured 11 others at the Givaudan Sense Colour plant in Clifton. He's spent more than a week cleaning up the debris and is thankful his windows remained intact.

"The framing is busted out," Livers said. "But the windows themselves didn't shatter."

He doesn't expect to move back in for nine to 12 months because of the structural damage to his house. His roof is sagging, and his walls are cracked, which could let in winter air, rain and potentially snow in the coming weeks. Plus, who knows about the squirrels, bugs or raccoons looking for warmer shelter.

"I do have a roof leak, and the furnace is shot," Livers said. "Personal items, I haven't gotten out yet. How do they fare when (temperatures) get into the teens?"

Livers said the cold doesn't bother him. Instead, he worries for his elderly neighbors who are dealing with the same issues but don't have the funds or the family to stay somewhere else.

"It's unfortunate," Livers said. "Right now, it's just cleanup, do what you can, sit and wait."

After more than a week since the explosion turned some people's lives upside down, Givaudan followed through on a promise made at Monday night's community meeting. The company will meet with impacted individuals to address specific issues and have its third party contractor on site which is helping with structural and damage assessments. 

Representatives from Givaudan will be set up at United Crescent Hill Ministries throughout this week. People will need to have a photo ID and proof of address. The office hours have been available Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Representatives will also be available from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Givaudan said in addition to other government investigations, the company has launched its own investigation.

Just days before the explosion, an employee reportedly warned co-workers about a critical piece of equipment at the plant — Cooker 6.

According to workers, the employee explicitly told them not to walk past Cooker 6, as it had been overheating for several days. This warning, issued five days before the tragic incident, raises serious questions about whether the equipment should have been taken out of service sooner.

The explosion was the second in just over two decades at the plant, which has been operated by Switzerland-based Givaudan since 2021. One worker was killed in 2003 when a tank overheated and burst, according to federal investigators' conclusion of what likely happened at the facility then operated by D.D. Williamson & Co.

Residents with damage or questions can call Givaudan’s hotline at 800-856-3333, or fill out a form online, to report issues.

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