Multiple fatalities, several unaccounted for after chemical tank implosion in Washington

Fatalities have been confirmed and at least 10 people were taken to hospitals after a chemical tank implosion at a paper packaging plant in southwest Washington, according to fire officials. Others remain unaccounted for.

The incident happened at about 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday at Nippon Dynawave Packaging on Industrial Way in Longview, Washington, a city along the Columbia River about 45 miles north of Portland, Oregon.

Longview Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch said emergency crews were dispatched after a tank containing white liquor ruptured at the facility. The chemical mixture is used in the papermaking process.

“There were multiple critical injuries and patients were transported to hospitals in Longview and throughout the Vancouver-Portland area,” Gorsuch said. “We can also confirm there were fatalities related to the incident.”

Officials did not release the number of people killed, saying families had not yet been notified. Gorsuch said some people remain unaccounted for as crews continue recovery and accountability operations.

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue said 10 people were transported from the site, including nine people from the facility and one firefighter. He described the injuries as ranging from minor to severe and critical.

Goldstein said preliminary information indicated the tank held about 80,000 gallons and was about 60% full at the time of the rupture. The cause of the implosion is unknown.

White liquor is a mixture of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate used in the paper-making process, Goldstein said. Fire officials said hazardous materials crews and firefighters are working with facility staff to secure the area.

Gorsuch said the incident is stable and has moved into a recovery phase. Officials said there is no immediate threat to the surrounding community, but the public is still being asked to avoid the area.