Explosion at cooking oil plant in Shively kills 1 person, prompts investigation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A person died in an explosion at a plant in Shively over the weekend.

The Louisville and Shively fire departments were called to a fire alarm in the 2500 block of 7th Street Road, a business called AAK Inc., at 12:39 p.m. Sunday, Shively Fire Chief Charles Mucker said.

Fire crews arrived and found no visible fire, but plant employees led firefighters to the area where an explosion happened from a hydrogen tank conversion process.

"They use a lot of hydrogen to convert their oils into usable products, and the explosion was in dealing with the hydrogen," Chief Mucker told WDRB News.

Mucker said firefighters found one person dead from the explosion. He said the fire was contained to outside of the building.

According to the plant's website, AAK produces plant-based oils and fats.

On Monday, company officials released the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened to confirm that an incident occurred at AAK’s Louisville facility in Kentucky on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Tragically, one of our colleagues lost their life. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this loss.

Emergency services responded immediately, and we are cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigation. As a precaution, operations in the relevant part of the plant have been shut down. Safety is AAK’s top priority.

"We are committed to understanding what happened- and taking all necessary steps- to ensure such an incident does not occur again."

It's not the first time emergency crews have responded to AAK. In December of last year, Shively firefighters were called to put out flames at the plant.

"I made that fire as well," Mucker said. "It was on the exterior of the structure and it was a cooking-grade oil that was burning."

Just a few months later, in February, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an inspection at AAK. According to available records, no violations were found.

"It can be scary sometimes," said Linett Brown, who works across the street and has been subject to rotten smells coming from the plant.

Brown said she's witnessed emergency crews respond to AAK multiple times.

"I have experienced fire trucks going back and forth because of an issue with the company here," she said. "Something needs to be addressed very soon because I don't like living like this. I know the people around here don't like living like this. Something has to be done about it."

Her colleague, Aleena Adams, added, "It's really sad because I think it's been brought to the attention of them for a really, really long time that they need to do something. The fact that somebody did pass away is absolutely terrible."

Louisville Metro Arson is handling the investigation.

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