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Fatal explosion rocks Longview paper plant
One worker has died and nine others remain unaccounted for following a catastrophic chemical blast at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, Washington, authorities confirmed Tuesday evening.
Timeline and immediate aftermath
The explosion erupted at 7:15 a.m. local time (15:15 GMT) inside a storage tank holding white liquor, a corrosive alkaline solution used in paper manufacturing. The Longview Fire Department reported the tank ruptured, releasing hundreds of thousands of gallons of the hazardous substance.
Emergency crews arrived to find the tank structurally compromised, forcing responders to prioritize stabilization before recovery efforts could begin. Fire officials described conditions as volatile, with the tank still holding an estimated 90,000 gallons (340,000 liters) of white liquor.
Casualties and injuries
Nine individuals-eight plant employees and one firefighter-were transported to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical, including burns and inhalation trauma. The company acknowledged multiple critical cases in a statement but did not release further details.
No names have been disclosed pending family notifications. Authorities emphasized that the incident poses no broader threat to the surrounding community.
Response and investigation
Cowlitz County Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein confirmed the scene was contained but warned the public to avoid the area. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson dispatched state ecology teams to assist local agencies in assessing environmental risks.
"I'm deeply saddened to hear that there have been fatalities. My thoughts are with the workers and their families, and with the first responders,"
Governor Bob Ferguson
White liquor, composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, is classified as highly corrosive. Investigators initially estimated the tank held 80,000 gallons (300,000 liters) but later revised the figure to 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters).
Facility background
The Longview plant, which employs approximately 1,000 workers, produces tissue, printer paper, and packaging materials. Local reports note the facility experienced a significant fire in July 2023 when wood piles burned for several days. The Washington State Department of Ecology oversees environmental compliance at the site.
Broader context
The Longview incident follows a separate chemical emergency in California, where authorities recently neutralized a tank containing a volatile plastic-making compound. Unlike that situation, Washington officials have not issued evacuation orders, citing no immediate danger to residents.
