UMVA has learned that a catastrophic tank rupture at a Washington paper mill claimed at least one life and left nine people missing.
The disaster unfolded at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview when a massive vessel holding a corrosive blend known as “white liquor” burst, sending the structure crashing down on workers and first responders.
Emergency crews arrived to find a chaotic scene of twisted metal and toxic fumes, quickly shifting from frantic rescue attempts to a grim recovery operation.
Fire Chief Scott Goldstein confirmed that, as of the press briefing, no additional rescues were expected, underscoring the enormity of the tragedy.
Initial estimates suggested the tank held around 80,000 gallons, but later assessments revealed a staggering volume of roughly 900,000 gallons, with about 90,000 gallons still trapped in the unstable wreckage.
Among the injured were nine individuals, including a firefighter, suffering from burns, inhalation injuries, and other critical conditions.
Authorities have assured residents that the remaining chemical does not pose an immediate threat to the surrounding community, though the compromised tank continues to complicate recovery efforts.
In the wake of the incident, local leaders demanded answers, vowing relentless pressure on officials to uncover how such a failure could occur.
Just days earlier, a separate hazardous materials emergency forced thousands of California residents to evacuate, highlighting a troubling pattern of industrial chemical incidents across the nation.
