Deadly chemical implosion at Longview packaging plant sends 9 employees, 1 firefighter to hospital

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Last edited Tue May 26, 2026, 10:08 PM - Edit history (1)

A chemical implosion in Longview killed an undisclosed number of people and sent several others to the hospital with chemical burns and inhalation injuries early Tuesday morning.

At approximately 7:18 a.m., the Longview Fire Department (LFD) responded to a hazardous materials incident at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company at 3401 Industrial Way, LFD announced.

Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said there were 10 victims sent to the hospital, including nine employees and one firefighter. Crews are continuing to search the grounds for any additional victims.

At the facility, there was an implosion involving a vat of chemical treatment product, leaving several people with chemical burns and other injuries.

https://mynorthwest.com/local/longview-implosion-chemical-burns/4241904

One dead, nine injured, nine unaccounted for after chemical vat implosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview

Disaster struck a troubled pulp and paper mill located in one of Washington's biggest port communities this morning when a chemical vat imploded, killing at least one person and possibly several more, as well as injuring nine others.

The vat contained white liquor, a hot mixture of water, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and sodium sulfide (Na2S) that is used to convert wood into wood pulp. It ruptured at approximately 7:18 AM Pacific Time. It is part of a large facility belonging to Nippon Dynawave Packaging, located at 3401 Industrial Way in Longview.

The City of Longview's initial announcement of the calamity added:

Officials say there is no immediate threat to the public.

Multiple people suffered chemical burns and other injuries and were transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview and PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver.

The extent of the injuries is not fully known at this time.

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2026/05/one-dead-nine-injured-nine-unaccounted-for-after-chemical-vat-implosion-at-nippon-dynawave-packaging-facility-in-longview.html

[nitpicked]

1. Update from KOMO

https://komonews.com/news/local/multiple-injuries-after-longview-rocked-by-major-chemical-explosion-at-paper-mill-nippon-dynawave-kraft-pulp-liquid-packaging-plant-emergency-response

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A spokesperson for PeaceHealth later issued a statement, saying it had received nine patients from the incident. Of those patients, PeaceHealth said one died, two were transferred, and six are in fair condition. PeaceHealth said it does not expect any additional patients. The injured firefighter was treated and released.

Fire officials also confirmed that there were still individuals who remain unaccounted for. It is unclear how many.
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[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Chemical tank implosion at Longview pulp and paper mill leaves 10 injured, unknown number dead

Chemical tank implosion at Longview pulp and paper mill leaves 10 injured, unknown number dead

Updated 1 hour ago

Fire battalion chief describes 'mass casualty scene' at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.

By CLAIRE RUSH and REBECCA BOONE, Associated Press
Published: May 26, 2026, 1:00pm
Updated: May 26, 2026, 2:32pm

LONGVIEW — The implosion of a chemical tank at a pulp and paper mill in southwestern Washington state on Tuesday injured at least 10 people, while an undisclosed number of others were killed or remained missing, authorities said. … In a joint statement, Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. and local first response agencies confirmed there had been fatalities.

Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein later told a news conference that it was unclear how many workers had been killed. Asked how many remained missing, he replied: “We have information on that, but we’re not releasing that information.” … Among those injured was a responding firefighter. Authorities said some victims had suffered burns or inhalation injuries, and that the severity of the injuries ranged from minor to critical. There was no immediate threat to the public, they said.

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The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility is a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant along the Columbia River in Longview, a city of about 38,000 that has had a relationship with the paper and lumber industries since its founding by a Kansas City timber baron in the 1920s. … The facility, which employs about 1,000 people, makes material for tissues, printing paper, cups, plates, cartons and other goods. It is located in an industrial zone shared by other timber, paper and chemical businesses, and it remains central to the community.

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The 80,000-gallon (303,000-liter) tank that imploded was about 60% full, Goldstein said. It contained a chemical brew known as “white liquor,” a corrosive substance that consists mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide and is used to break down wood to make kraft paper, a durable paper used in packaging, shopping bags and other products.

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