Massive fire engulfing a building with thick smoke billowing into the sky, highlighting a significant emergency situation.

Massive fire engulfing a building with thick smoke billowing into the sky, highlighting a significant emergency situation.

In one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Washington state history, a massive chemical tank containing hundreds of thousands of gallons of highly corrosive “white liquor” ruptured and imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company paper mill early Tuesday morning, killing 11 workers and injuring eight others.

The incident took place at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time during a shift change at the facility in Longview, Washington.

The tank, which held up to 900,000 gallons of white liquor, a caustic mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide used in the pulping process to break down wood chips into paper pulp, was roughly 60-90% full at the time of failure.

The rupture released a flood of hazardous chemicals across the plant grounds, overturning vehicles, damaging structures, and contaminating nearby ditches and the Columbia River.

Emergency responders from the Longview Fire Department, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies arrived quickly.

Initial reports indicated at least one dead and multiple injured, with nine workers unaccounted for. Two workers were transported to area hospitals, where one later died.

The remaining nine were presumed dead due to the catastrophic nature of the incident.

WATCH:

Recovery operations were made more difficult by the unstable tank structure and hazardous chemicals.

Crews worked over several days, prioritizing responder safety and the dignified recovery of remains.

By Saturday, Longview Fire Chief Brad Hannig announced that all nine missing workers’ bodies had been recovered and decontaminated.

The final death toll stands at 11.

  • Gilbert (Gilberto) Bernal, 52, Kelso – A grandfather and electrician described as a “Godly man” and beloved family provider nearing his 32nd wedding anniversary.
  • Tyler Covington, 29, Castle Rock
  • Brad Covington, 27, Castle Rock – Brothers who worked side-by-side at the mill. Tyler leaves behind a wife and three children.
  • Robert Wilson, 48, Clatskanie, Oregon
  • Dale Miller, 54, Portland
  • Jared Ammons, 35, Longview – A devoted husband and father of two (with a third child on the way).
  • Braydon Finkas, 38, Cathlamet – An electrician known for hosting exchange students and helping those in need.
  • Clinton “CJ” Doran (or Duran), 26, Kelso – Described by family as the “spiritual leader” and “joy of their home.”
  • John Forsberg, 51, Longview – A witty, trivia-night regular and father of two young children.
  • Norman Barlow, 58, Vancouver
  • Dillon Miller – A father of three girls who was planning a September wedding.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Chief Hannig stated, “I hope today will give the families so affected by this incident the closure needed to begin the long process of healing.”

Hannig emphasized that the site remains an active hazardous environment and that response efforts could continue for weeks or months.

Officials stated there is no threat to community drinking water supplies or airborne contamination.

The mill has suspended most operations, with only critical infrastructure running on minimum staffing.

State records show the facility has a documented history of safety and environmental violations.

According to a report from local station KING5, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) cited Nippon Dynawave four times between 2019 and 2025 for issues including fall-protection failures, respiratory-protection violations, face-covering requirements during the pandemic, and interference with an injury investigation.

Two additional L&I investigations were open at the time of the incident.

The post HORRIFIC: 11 Workers Killed in Massive Toxic Chemical Tank Implosion at Washington Paper Mill, All Victims Identified as Federal Probe Launches appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.