Chemical Tank Implosion at Washington Mill Kills Multiple Workers, Prompts State Response
Why It Matters
A deadly industrial accident at a major Pacific Northwest paper mill Tuesday morning has left families in Longview, Washington, grieving and state officials scrambling to respond. The facility employs roughly 1,000 workers combined across its operations, making it one of the region’s significant industrial employers along the Columbia River.
What Happened
A chemical storage tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company plant in Longview ruptured shortly after 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, triggering an implosion that killed multiple people and left others injured. The tank held white liquor — a caustic chemical mixture of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, and other compounds used in converting wood chips into pulp for paper production.
Nine employees and one firefighter sustained injuries in the incident. The Longview Fire Department confirmed there is no immediate threat to the broader public. As of Tuesday afternoon, the number of workers still unaccounted for had not been determined.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson traveled to the plant Tuesday afternoon. His office said National Guard teams have been placed on alert as a precaution. State agencies including the departments of Ecology and Labor and Industries deployed teams to the site to assist with the ongoing response.
Official Reactions
“My prayers are with the families of those lost in this tragedy,” Ferguson said in a statement from his office.
State Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, who said he can see the plant from his home and spent years working there, described the emotional weight of the disaster for the tight-knit community. “This hurts,” Wilson said. “You see these people every day.” He pledged to help connect residents with available resources while urging patience as investigators work to determine the cause.
State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, whose district includes the plant, called the event “a real tragedy” and said the community is waiting for investigators to complete their work.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray issued a statement calling the implosion “an absolute tragedy” and promised to support Longview throughout its recovery.
By the Numbers
- Approximately 550 employees work at the pulp and paper mill; the adjoining liquid packaging plant employs roughly 450 more.
- The plant produces hundreds of thousands of tons of bleached packaging paperboard and pulp products annually.
- Nine employees and one firefighter were reported injured.
- The state Department of Ecology fined Nippon Dynawave $6,500 in 2024 for two separate permit violations involving wastewater solids and sulfur dioxide emissions.
- Labor and Industries has cited the company multiple times since 2021 for various workplace violations, with at least two inspection cases currently open at the facility.
Prior Incidents at the Facility
Tuesday’s implosion is not the first safety concern at the Longview plant. A 2023 fire that started with wood chip piles produced unhealthy air quality in the greater Portland area downriver. Investigators at the time ruled it accidental but were unable to pinpoint a specific cause.
An existing Labor and Industries inspection involves a valve on a separate ammonia-related tank, unrelated to Tuesday’s incident. A second open case involves a sinkhole attributed to a failed drainage system.
Community Support Efforts
Nippon Dynawave is working alongside the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers union, which represents plant workers through Local 580, to operate a family assistance center at the union hall in Longview. The center is providing updates and support services to affected families.
A community prayer vigil was scheduled for Tuesday evening at R.A. Long Park in Longview.
What’s Next
The state Department of Labor and Industries will lead a formal investigation into the cause of the implosion once the immediate emergency response concludes. State emergency management officials said they remain in close contact with local authorities and stand ready to provide additional resources, including evacuation or decontamination support if needed. The situation remains active and is continuing to develop.
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