LONGVIEW, Wash. — Officials confirmed at least one person died following a chemical implosion at the Nippon facility in Longview, Washington, on Tuesday morning. Nine employees remain missing.
Emergency crews responded to the scene at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Facility shortly before 7:20 a.m.
The Nippon facility is located in the 3400 block of Industrial Way (Highway 432). Residents were have been asked to avoid the area.
Longview Fire officials said a vat containing “white liquor” imploded at the facility. Several people suffered chemical burns and other injuries during the incident.
White liquor is a highly alkaline liquid primarily made of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. In the Kraft process, manufacturers use it to cook wood chips and convert them into pulp for papermaking by breaking down the materials that bind wood fibers together. Officials consider the substance extremely dangerous and highly corrosive.
In an update issued shortly after 4:30 p.m., officials said the imploded tank contained about 900,000 gallons of white liquor. Authorities believe roughly 90,000 gallons may still remain inside the tank. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the implosion.
Officials said 10 people were transported to hospitals, including nine Nippon employees and one firefighter who responded to the scene. One Nippon employee later died at the hospital.
During an update Tuesday evening, officials said the firefighter had been treated and released.
The injured were taken to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview and PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. Officials said the injuries ranged from minor to critical.
In a Tuesday night update around 7 p.m., officials said there is currently no danger to the surrounding community, but described the situation as “extremely complex” because of ongoing hazards. Authorities said the tank remains unstable, creating a dangerous environment.
Several Washington state leaders attended a press conference, including Bob Ferguson, Patty Murray and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Officials announced that the facility must have stronger structural integrity before crews can continue additional recovery operations.
“How that gets stabilized is what our primary goal is — stabilizing the tank, one, removing the liquid from inside the tank, two, then accessing the victims that we are able to locate and recover. Our secondary goal is to return all of the workers to their families to have closure for this incident,” said Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein.
Officials said recovery operations will continue Wednesday, with additional updates expected Thursday morning.
At the press conference, Bob Ferguson said he mobilized the Washington National Guard Civil Support Team to assist the Department of Ecology with air monitoring efforts. He also said he directed the National Guard Homeland Response Force to remain onsite to support search and recovery operations, along with decontamination efforts.
A spokesperson for PeaceHealth later released a statement saying the hospital system received nine patients from the incident. According to the statement, one patient died, two were transferred, and six remain in fair condition. PeaceHealth added that it does not expect any additional patients. The injured firefighter was treated and released.
Officials said they will not release any identities until families have been notified.
“As our emergency teams continue their tireless work here, our community has entered a time of profound tragedy and deep mourning,” said Longview Mayor Erik Halvorson. “On behalf of the entire city of Longview, our hearts are heavy, our deepest prayers go out to the families, the loved ones, the co-workers who are experiencing unimaginable grief and pain today. To those families, we are with you.”
Legacy Health in Oregon also confirmed it received patients connected to the incident. A spokesperson released the following statement:
“Legacy Health shares the community’s concern for everyone affected by the chemical explosion in Longview. Legacy is currently caring for patients related to this incident, including at the Legacy Oregon Burn Center, and remains prepared to provide additional care as needed. To protect patient privacy, Legacy Health cannot provide additional information about individual patients. For additional information regarding the incident and emergency response, please contact the Longview Fire Department.”
In a post from Cowlitz County News, photos show the aftermath of the implosion at the location.
State officials are preparing to visit the site. Crews will continue monitoring the area overnight, but officials said recovery operations will remain paused until Wednesday because of ongoing safety concerns.
Another press conference is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Bob Ferguson released the following statement regarding the incident:
“My team and I are tracking developments in Longview closely after a major chemical explosion. Responders from our state Department of Ecology have been deployed to the scene. 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.”
US Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., issued the following statement about this incident:
“Today’s implosion was an absolute tragedy. My heart is with everyone who lost a loved one today—as well as the injured workers. I also want to acknowledge the heroism of the first responders and health care workers who are currently on the frontlines of this disaster. This is a developing situation that I am monitoring closely. In the days and weeks to come as Longview recovers from this disaster, I will be there every step of the way to support this community however I can.”
This is not the first time the Nippon facility has been in the news. On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, a massive fire broke out at the same location. Piles of wood ended up burning for days.
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