A devastating industrial accident at a Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company facility in Longview, Washington, resulted in multiple deaths and critical injuries on Tuesday after a chemical tank violently imploded and ruptured, authorities said.
Emergency responders rushed to the site in Cowlitz County, approximately 45 miles north of Portland, Oregon, following the incident. The Longview Fire Department, in a joint statement with Nippon and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed the grim outcome but did not immediately release a specific fatality count.
Chemical Burns and Hospitalizations
Several victims suffered chemical burns and other traumatic injuries. At least nine workers and one firefighter were transported to nearby hospitals, according to Scott Goldstein, the Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue chief who was on the scene.
The number of fatalities remained “undetermined” as of the latest press conference, Goldstein added. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Centre in Longview reported receiving nine patients related to the incident, confirming one patient had died. Six others were listed in fair condition, while two patients required transfer to other facilities.
White Liquor Tank Failure
The joint statement identified the source of the disaster as a tank containing “white liquor,” a corrosive chemical solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide commonly used in paper pulp production. The rupture occurred around 7:15 a.m. local time.
Goldstein detailed that the massive 80,000-gallon tank was approximately 60% full at the time of the implosion. Authorities have assured the public that the incident poses “no immediate threat to the surrounding community.”
Separate Chemical Emergency in Southern California
Meanwhile, authorities in Southern California continued to monitor a separate hazardous materials situation involving an overheating industrial tank containing highly flammable methyl methacrylate at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove.
Officials ruled out the worst-case possibility of an explosion on Monday after a crack in the tank relieved some internal pressure. Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Greg Barta provided an update Tuesday morning, stating the temperature inside the tank was holding steady and that crews were working to allow evacuated residents to return home as soon as possible.
