Toxic horror as multiple people killed, missing and critically injured in major chemical vat implosion at Washington paper mill
Many people are dead and many are missing after a chemical vat exploded at a paper mill in Washington state.
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview confirmed that some employees died when the toxic tank exploded at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Mike Gorsuch, battalion chief of the local fire department, described the incident as a “mass death scene.”
Cowlitz Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said at a news conference that it was unclear how many workers were killed.
When asked how many people were missing, he replied: ‘We have information about it, but we do not disclose this information.’
Scores of people were also hospitalized with horrific injuries, including burns and respiratory damage.
Several distressed relatives waited at the company’s visitor entrance later Tuesday, demanding information about their loved ones who worked at the facility.
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. The plant is a pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging facility that produces materials for tissue, printing paper, cups, plates, paperboard and other products.
Many people are dead and many are missing after a chemical vat exploded at a paper mill in Washington state. Showing the exterior of Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co.
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview confirmed that some employees died when the toxic tank exploded at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.
The facility, located in Longview just north of the Oregon border, employs about 1,000 people, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
The tank that exploded contained a chemical mixture known as ‘white liquor’, a corrosive substance consisting mainly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulphide.
The substance is used to shred wood to make kraft paper, a durable paper used in packaging, shopping bags and other products.
Mike Gorsuch is a battalion chief for the fire department in Longview, Washington. He said first responders disinfected patients.
They were taken to hospitals in Longview and Vancouver, Washington.
About 40 firefighters and paramedics responded, along with a regional hazmat team, Gorsuch said.
The cause of the explosion is not clear.
This is a breaking news with updates to follow.
