Longview Nippon Dynawave Chemical Tank Implosion — Fatalities Reported
An 80,000-gallon white liquor tank imploded at the Nippon Dynawave pulp and paper mill in Longview, WA on May 26, 2026, with fatalities reported.
Follow live updates — latest, maps & closures- Location
- Longview, WA
- Occurred
- May 26, 2026, 2:19 PM UTC
- Last verified
- 5d ago
- Sources
- 5 primary sources
At about 7:19 a.m. PT on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, an 80,000-gallon tank containing "white liquor" — a strongly alkaline pulping solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide — imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill on Industrial Way in Longview, Washington. Fire officials described the scene as a mass casualty event. At least one person has died, others are unaccounted for, and at least nine people have been transported to area hospitals (OPB; CBS News; Seattle Times).
This page summarizes public reporting and primary-source statements. It is not medical or legal advice, and AlertRelief is not a law firm.
What happened
A tank of white liquor that was about 60% full — roughly 48,000 gallons — imploded at approximately 7:19 a.m. PT. Longview Fire, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, and a Vancouver Fire hazardous-materials crew responded. Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said it was too early to determine the cause, and noted that responders on scene have friends and relatives who work at the facility. Longview Fire Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch called the response "a mass casualty scene" and said the operation could be "an all-day process" (OPB).
Casualties and hospitals
As reported, at least one person has died, others are unaccounted for, and at least nine patients were transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview. Several patients were in fair condition; some have been transferred to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland. Additional patients were taken to hospitals in Vancouver, Washington (CBS News; OPB). Counts can change as the response continues.
Environmental release
The Washington Department of Ecology said the alkaline solution spilled into a nearby drainage ditch, a violation of the facility's water-quality permit. Ecology spokesperson Brittny Goodsell said an Ecology spills team is evaluating the impact, and noted the facility does not have recent environmental penalties from the agency (OPB).
Public safety status
As reported, authorities said there was no immediate threat to the public off-site and no evacuation or shelter-in-place order was issued. Gov. Bob Ferguson directed the Washington National Guard to remain on alert (OPB; CBS News). Defer to current guidance from Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.
About the facility
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Nippon Paper Group, which acquired the Longview mill from Weyerhaeuser in 2016. The site employs about 1,000 people and produces liquid packaging board and bleached pulp (OPB).
If you were affected
If you were on site, are a family member or coworker of someone who was hurt or killed, or live or work near the mill, you can:
- Document what happened: when you were near the site, what you saw or smelled, and any symptoms — see our guide on documenting your exposure after an incident.
- Read background on the chemicals involved: what is white liquor? and exposure symptoms.
- If you wish, request a free review by an independent attorney — no obligation. AlertRelief is not a law firm. Every incident is different and past results do not predict the outcome of any other matter.
- Receive updates as the response and investigation progress.
For related background on this kind of event, see our industrial explosions overview.
Answers & guidance
Plain-language, sourced answers to the questions people are asking about this incident.
Timeline
An 80,000-gallon tank containing white liquor implodes at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill on Industrial Way in Longview, WA. First reports describe a mass casualty scene.
Longview Fire, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, and a regional hazardous-materials crew from Vancouver Fire respond. At least nine people are transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center; some patients are later transferred to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland.
Cowlitz 2 Fire Chief Scott Goldstein and Longview Fire Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch confirm fatalities and unaccounted-for workers; the Washington Department of Ecology reports an alkaline release into a nearby drainage ditch and begins evaluating impact.
Gov. Bob Ferguson directs the Washington National Guard to remain on alert. Authorities state there is no immediate threat to the public off-site and no evacuation or shelter-in-place order has been issued.
Common questions
What happened at the Nippon Dynawave mill in Longview?
At about 7:19 a.m. PT on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, an 80,000-gallon tank of "white liquor" — a corrosive pulping chemical made of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide — imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging pulp and paper mill on Industrial Way in Longview, Washington. Fire officials described the scene as a mass casualty event.
How many people were killed or injured?
As reported, at least one person has died, others are unaccounted for, and at least nine people have been transported to area hospitals. Authorities have not released a full count. Some patients were transferred to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland. These numbers can change as the response continues.
What is white liquor and is it dangerous?
White liquor is a mixture of sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium sulfide used to break down wood chips in the kraft pulping process. Both compounds are strongly alkaline and corrosive. Skin and eye contact, inhalation of mist, or ingestion can cause severe burns and irritation per public-health agencies.
Is there a public evacuation or shelter-in-place order?
As reported, authorities said there was no immediate threat to the public off-site and no evacuation or shelter-in-place order was issued. This page reflects public reporting and can change — defer to current guidance from Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.
Was the Columbia River or local waterways contaminated?
The Washington Department of Ecology said the alkaline solution spilled into a nearby drainage ditch — a violation of the facility's water-quality permit — and an Ecology spills team is evaluating the impact. We will update this page as Ecology releases findings.
What caused the tank to implode?
As of this writing, the cause has not been determined. Cowlitz 2 Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said it is too early to identify a cause. Workplace incidents at facilities of this kind are typically investigated by Washington's Department of Labor & Industries (DOSH) and, depending on findings, federal agencies.
Who can I contact about a family member who works at the mill?
Reach out to Nippon Dynawave Packaging and to area hospitals (PeaceHealth St. John in Longview, the Legacy Oregon Burn Center in Portland, and Vancouver-area hospitals) using their published contact lines. For verified updates, follow Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue.
If my family member was hurt or killed at the mill, what are my options?
AlertRelief is an information and referral service, not a law firm, and this is not legal advice. If you wish, you can keep records of what happened and any costs or losses, and request a free review by an independent attorney. Every incident is different and past results do not predict the outcome of any other matter.