Washington State Agencies, National Guard Mobilize After Chemical Tank Implosion Kills Multiple at Longview Mill
Why It Matters
A catastrophic industrial accident at a major paper and packaging facility in southwest Washington has left multiple workers dead, others injured, and an entire community shaken. The Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant employs roughly 1,000 people across its two operations, making it a significant economic anchor for the Longview area along the Columbia River.
What Happened
A chemical storage tank containing white liquor — a caustic solution of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and other compounds used to convert wood into paper pulp — ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave facility early Tuesday morning. The implosion was reported at approximately 7:20 a.m. at the plant situated along the Columbia River.
Multiple employees were killed in the incident. Nine workers and one firefighter were reported injured. The exact number of people still unaccounted for had not been confirmed as of Tuesday afternoon. At least one person was confirmed dead and nine others were listed as missing in the initial hours following the blast. Longview fire officials stated there was no immediate threat to surrounding residents.
Gov. Bob Ferguson traveled to the mill Tuesday afternoon to survey the situation firsthand. His office confirmed that National Guard teams had been placed on standby. Teams from the state departments of Ecology and Labor and Industries were deployed to the scene to assist with the emergency response and begin preliminary assessments.
“My prayers are with the families of those lost in this tragedy,” Ferguson said in a statement released by his office.
By the Numbers
- Approximately 550 employees work at the pulp and paper mill; the adjacent liquid packaging plant employs roughly 450
- 9 workers and 1 firefighter were reported injured
- The implosion was reported at 7:20 a.m. Tuesday
- Ecology fined the company $6,500 in 2024 for two separate environmental permit violations
- The Department of Labor and Industries has cited Nippon Dynawave multiple times for workplace violations since 2021
Regulatory History
State records show Nippon Dynawave has faced regulatory scrutiny in recent years. Labor and Industries had an active inspection at the facility related to a valve on a separate ammonia clarifier tank — distinct from the tank that failed Tuesday. A second ongoing case involved a sinkhole reportedly caused by a failed drain line.
In 2024, the Department of Ecology cited the company for discharging excess solids into treated wastewater and releasing sulfur dioxide beyond permitted levels. A 2023 fire at the mill, which started in wood chip piles and created unhealthy air conditions in the Portland metro area, was determined to be accidental though the precise cause was never established.
Labor and Industries confirmed it will launch a formal investigation into the cause of Tuesday’s implosion once the immediate emergency response concludes.
Community and Political Response
State Sen. Jeff Wilson, a Republican representing Longview, said he can see the plant from his home and spent years working there under a contract with his industrial cleaning company. “This hurts. The reason it hurts so much is because you see these people every day,” Wilson said, adding that he stands ready to connect residents with available resources and support.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray called the event “an absolute tragedy” and pledged ongoing support for the Longview community during recovery. Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, whose legislative district includes the plant, said investigators must be allowed to complete their work before conclusions are drawn about the cause.
Nippon Dynawave partnered with the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers union to open its Local 580 hall in Longview as a family assistance center, providing updates and support services to affected workers and their families. A community prayer vigil was scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday at R.A. Long Park in Longview.
What’s Next
The Department of Labor and Industries will lead the formal workplace safety investigation following the conclusion of emergency operations. Emergency management officials said they remain in close coordination with local and county officials, with the National Guard available for evacuation or decontamination support if requested. State officials have indicated this remains a developing situation as the full scope of casualties and damage is still being assessed.
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