Up to date Aug. 28, 2026, 10:42 a.m. ET
A chemical tank that exploded at a Washington state paper mill earlier this yr and left practically a dozen individuals lifeless was identified to be unfit for service virtually a yr previous to the lethal blast, a federal investigation report launched on Aug. 28 discovered.
The explosion that injured a number of others, together with one firefighter, passed off Could 26 on the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Firm in Longview, Washington, about 45 miles north of Portland, Oregon.
The U.S. Chemical Security and Hazard Investigation Board, in an replace launched on its investigation into the catastrophic failure of a 1.2-million-gallon atmospheric storage tank on the mill, discovered the corporate was informed 10 months earlier the tank was “not match for continued service and will fail.”
When it ruptured, the tank launched some 900,000 gallons of “extraordinarily scorching extremely caustic white liquor,” killing 11 workers and severely injuring three others. 5 different workers additionally suffered minor accidents, in keeping with the report.
The blast despatched a number of mill staff and one firefighter to native hospitals for remedy after struggling accidents together with chemical burns. Scott Goldstein, chief of Cowlitz 2 Fireplace & Rescue, stated accidents ranged from “essential, extreme to minor,” USA TODAY beforehand reported.
A ‘excessive chance/consequence of failure’
“The investigation discovered an inspection of the outside shell of G Tank performed in July 2025 − roughly 10 months earlier than the deadly incident − recognized that important parts of the tank’s carbon-steel shell had thinned under the calculated minimal protected thickness,” investigators wrote within the report.
Except it was repaired, the investigation discovered, there was a “excessive chance/consequence of failure.”
Regardless of the inspection’s findings, the report continues, the tank remained in service till catastrophic explosion.
The tank’s failure passed off at 7:09 a.m. PT whereas 17 workers had been on the bottom stage of the mill, seven upkeep workers and one foreman had been within the firm’s mechanical upkeep store, eight upkeep workers had been in its electrical upkeep store and one operator was within the mill courtyard.
Many of the tank’s chemical contents launched, “creating a large wave of white liquor” that investigators stated rapidly flooded the courtyard and slid towards buildings. The pressure of the shifting liquid crushed autos and destroyed one of many surrounding buildings’ roll-up doorways and a wall.
The chemical substances then entered the decrease flooring of the buildings by means of door seals the place investigators stated morning conferences had been going down.
The report is a part of an ongoing investigation, the federal company stated, including it was nonetheless working to find out the official explanation for the explosion.
Nippon Dynawave Packaging Firm spokesperson Sam Jefferies informed USA TODAY the corporate helps the board’s work towards establishing “an entire factual file that may assist forestall future tragedies.”
“Our focus stays on supporting affected households and workers and taking the mandatory steps towards absolutely reopening the Longview facility,” Jefferies wrote in an electronic mail, including the corporate “will rigorously contemplate the replace and all info developed because the investigation proceeds” and can proceed working with the board and related authorities.
“We imagine the accountable course is to permit the complete investigative course of to proceed and set up an entire and correct file earlier than conclusions are reached,” Jefferies stated.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Attain her at nalund@usatoday.com and observe her on X @nataliealund.
