VIDEOS: Several small fires broke out at a chemical plant in southwest Louisville on Wednesday. First responders were called around 11:28 a.m. to the 4400 block of Bells Lane in the Rubbertown area for reports of an explosion.
That’s where Carbide Industries is, which makes calcium carbide products. According to fire officials, fires involving that chemical can’t be put out with water, so they were still burning as of 3:45 p.m., but they are now under control.
All employees were able to get out of the building, and no one was hurt, officials said. As for the cause, fire officials said there was a potential overflow of a product that came out of the furnace and caused the explosion.
A LENSAlert was sent out, calling it a hazardous materials incident. It said there is no danger to the public. Fire officials were monitoring the air in the area as a precaution.
More than a decade ago, in 2011, there was another explosion at this plant, a much bigger one that ripped through the building, killed two people and injured two others.
