• Contamination reached Columbia River after Longview tank rupture, officials say
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    Contamination reached Columbia River after Longview tank rupture, officials say

    May 28, 2026 - By 

    Water samples taken overnight confirmed that chemicals leaked into the river when a 900,000-gallon tank containing caustic “white liquor” ruptured. LONGVIEW, Wash. — The Columbia River was contaminated by chemicals from the tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility in Longview, officials confirmed Wednesday. The extent of the contamination is unknown. Water samples taken overnight confirmed that chemicals leaked into the river when a 900,000-gallon tank of “white liquor” ruptured, with an estimated 25,000 gallons of the highly caustic solution still inside, officials said at a Wednesday briefing. Officials estimated that the tank was about 60% full at the…

  • Second death confirmed as recovery operations continue for 9 missing after Longview paper mill implosion
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    Second death confirmed as recovery operations continue for 9 missing after Longview paper mill implosion

    May 28, 2026 - By 

    Longview fire officials said recovery operations were initially delayed “due to safety concerns of the structural integrity of the damaged tank.” LONGVIEW, Wash. — A second person has died after a large tank containing corrosive white liquor imploded Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview. The Longview Fire Department confirmed the second person died from injuries suffered in the incident after being transported to a hospital. Officials said recovery operations will begin Wednesday after being delayed because of concerns about the structural integrity of the damaged tank. This story continues below. As of Wednesday afternoon,…

  • What is white liquor, the caustic chemical involved in the Longview paper mill disaster?
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    What is white liquor, the caustic chemical involved in the Longview paper mill disaster?

    May 28, 2026 - By 

    The process of paper making involves several chemicals that can cause serious injuries if a person is exposed to them. LONGVIEW, Wash. — White liquor, a superheated chemical mixture used to break down wood into paper pulp, is at the center of the deadly tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave paper mill in Longview. The facility employs a common process for making paper known as kraft milling. In kraft milling, wood chips are processed under high pressure and heat (anywhere from 300 to 330 degrees Fahrenheit) while being exposed to extremely caustic chemicals that cause the wood to break down…

  • U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate fatal tank implosion at Longview paper mill
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    U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate fatal tank implosion at Longview paper mill

    May 27, 2026 - By 

    The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said a team of investigators would arrive at the paper mill Wednesday. The implosion involved white liquor, a highly corrosive chemical used in paper and pulp processing to dissolve wood chips into pulp. Officials said a 900,000-gallon tank storing the substance ruptured with 90,000 gallons of the chemical still inside. Previously, officials said the tank held only 80,000 gallons. This story continues below. “The CSB is opening an investigation into this tragic incident to determine how it happened and what can be done to prevent something like this from…

  • 'The most tragic thing that's happened in Longview': Vigil honors victims of paper mill implosion
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    ‘The most tragic thing that’s happened in Longview’: Vigil honors victims of paper mill implosion

    May 27, 2026 - By 

    At least one person was killed and nine more employees remain missing after a chemical tank ruptured on Tuesday morning at a paper and pulp mill in Longview. LONGVIEW, Wash. — Lonnie Koistinen says he was taught at a young age that men don’t show emotion, but at age 71, the lifelong Longview resident couldn’t help himself. Not after what happened at the Nippon Dynawave facility early Tuesday. “Men do cry sometimes when real tragic things happen,” he said after attending a vigil on Tuesday night to honor the victims. “I had a few tears at this vigil because it…

  • Nippon Dynawave: What to know about the Longview facility at the center of Tuesday's chemical implosion
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    Nippon Dynawave: What to know about the Longview facility at the center of Tuesday’s chemical implosion

    May 27, 2026 - By 

    Multiple deaths reported in an implosion at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview, which manufactures paper and packaging products. LONGVIEW, Wash. — A chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview caused multiple deaths and injuries Tuesday morning. A liquid supply tank of hazardous “chemical treatment product” ruptured around 7:18 a.m., burning multiple people and exposing others to harmful chemicals. Around 11:20 a.m., officials confirmed multiple fatalities along with critical injuries related to the incident. This story continues below. RELATED: Multiple people killed in chemical tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave pulp and paper mill in…

  • Nippon Dynawave: What to know about the Longview facility at the center of Tuesday's chemical implosion
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    Nippon Dynawave: What to know about the Longview facility at the center of Tuesday’s chemical implosion

    May 27, 2026 - By 

    Multiple deaths reported in an implosion at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview, which manufactures paper and packaging products. LONGVIEW, Wash. — A chemical tank implosion at the Nippon Dynawave facility in Longview caused multiple deaths and injuries Tuesday morning. A liquid supply tank of hazardous “chemical treatment product” ruptured around 7:18 a.m., burning multiple people and exposing others to harmful chemicals. Around 11:20 a.m., officials confirmed multiple fatalities along with critical injuries related to the incident. RELATED: Multiple people killed in chemical tank rupture at Nippon Dynawave pulp and paper mill in Longview The Nippon Dynawave facility houses a…

  • Multiple injuries reported after chemical explosion at Longview Nippon facility
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    Multiple injuries reported after chemical explosion at Longview Nippon facility

    May 26, 2026 - By 

    Residents are being asked to avoid Industrial Way as emergency crews respond to an explosion at the Nippon facility. LONGVIEW, Wash. — Multiple injuries were reported after a chemical explosion Tuesday at the Nippon facility in Longview, according to the Longview Fire Department. The explosion was reported around 7:30 a.m., prompting a major emergency response from fire crews. Residents are asked to stay away from Industrial Way and avoid the surrounding area while crews work at the facility. The response continues to be active, and officials said more information would be released as it became available. This is a breaking…