Multiple fatalities have been reported after a chemical explosion occurred at a paper mill in Washington state.
First responders were at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, “following the rupture of a tank containing white liquor,” the Longview Fire Department said in a joint statement released on Facebook by local officials and the packaging company.
The explosion occurred at around 7:15 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to officials.
Officials confirmed “multiple critical injuries” related to the explosion. The fire department said people were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Multiple people had chemical burns and other injuries from the explosion, the fire department said in a previous Facebook post.
There have also been multiple fatalities, according to officials, but an exact number has yet to be released.
There is “no immediate threat” to the community, the fire department said in its most recent statement. But officials have asked people to avoid the area as they investigate.
“Responding agencies continue coordinating closely with facility personnel and partner agencies as the investigation and recovery efforts continue,” the fire department said.
There were five fire trucks, seven ambulances and a hazmat team at the paper mill Tuesday.
Nippon Dynawave Packaging has around 550 employees at its pulp and paper mill, according to Washington’s Department of Ecology.
The mill makes about 280,000 tons of paperboard and pulp each year. It also has about 450 workers at its liquid packaging plant.
This is a developing story…