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

[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.

{snip}

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.

{snip}

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.

{snip}