An explosion at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. paper mill in Longview on Tuesday morning left at least one person dead, several injured, and nine workers missing, according to local authorities and company representatives.
The incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. local time, when a tank containing chemicals exploded inside the industrial facility. In a joint statement, the company and local law enforcement agencies said the accident caused multiple critical injuries related to burns and toxic substance inhalation.
Authorities confirmed that rescue and recovery operations remained active several hours after the explosion. Officials also stated that there was no ongoing threat to nearby residents following the initial containment of the situation.
The damaged tank contained “white liquor,” a corrosive chemical mixture used in kraft paper production. The substance is primarily composed of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, which are used to break down wood during the papermaking process. Exposure to the chemical may cause severe burns and respiratory complications.
Mike Gorsuch, battalion chief of the Longview Fire Department, said affected workers were decontaminated before being transported to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington. He also noted that approximately 40 firefighters, paramedics, and hazardous materials specialists responded to the emergency.
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. manufactures paper, packaging materials, and products used for tissues, cups, plates, and cardboard boxes, among other applications. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, the company employs around 1,000 workers in the area.
The incident comes as another chemical emergency remains active in the western United States. In Southern California, thousands of residents remain evacuated due to the risk of an explosion at damaged aerospace facilities involving a chemical storage tank.
