Explosion At Plant Kills One In Shively

A person is dead after an explosion at the AAK plant in Shively on Sunday.

According to Shively Fire Chief Charles Mucker, the Louisville and Shively Fire Departments were dispatched at around 12:39 p.m. on a fire alarm at the AAK plant in the 2500 block of South 7th Street on Sunday, September 21.

While responding, further information was reported that there was a possible explosion with one person injured.

Upon arriving at the scene, crews found no visible fire, but were led by plant personnel to the area where the explosion occurred, which was caused by a hydrogen tank conversion.

Fire crews then found one victim with fatal injuries from the explosion, which was contained to the exterior of the building.

Louisville Metro Arson and Louisville Metro Police were called to the scene to investigate.

According to the company’s website, AAK produces plant-based oils and fats. They operate dozens of facilities worldwide, including four in the U.S.

The AAK plant is the same facility where crews responded to a fire on December 2024.

Back then, officials said the Hazardous Materials Team, the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), and the Louisville Health Department were called as a precaution due to a small Hydrogen leak in the conversion process. No one was hurt in that fire.
Source: WAVE