At least one person don die and nine others still missing after a tank wey get caustic chemicals burst for Nippon Dynawave facility for Longview, Washington on Tuesday morning. Longview Fire Department confirm am.
According to officials, ten people dem carry go hospital: nine Nippon employees and one firefighter wey don release. Nine of dem go PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for check-up. Four dem transfer to another hospital, three dem discharge, one dey for fair condition, and one don die, PeaceHealth tok.
Longview Fire say nine employees still no dey found. Dem don notify dia families. The tank wey burst dey hold white liquor, wey be strong alkaline solution wey dem use break down wood chips for paper-making. E get sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, and e dey very dangerous and corrosive.
Initially dem think say the tank get 80,000 gallons of white liquor, but later dem correct am to 900,000 gallons. As much as 90,000 gallons fit still dey inside the damaged tank. The tank still dey unstable, wey create hazard for emergency workers. Dem dey try to reinforce and stabilize the site before dem fit continue recovery.
Officials say no direct threat to surrounding community and no evacuation order. But dem ask residents to stay away from Industrial Way and avoid area near dikes and ditches between Washington Way and Prudential Boulevard because of fear say white liquor go mix with water and contaminate places near Nippon property.
Recovery operations suspend for night because of safety, go resume tomorrow morning. Site go still dey monitored through night. The fire department say dem dey focus on safely accessing affected areas, recovering victims, and supporting families.
Governor Bob Ferguson say state ecology workers don deploy to site. He tok: ‘I’m deeply saddened to hear that there have been fatalities. My thoughts are with the workers and their families, and with the first responders.’
One victim wey die na Gilbert Bernal, wey family identify through pastor Jim John of Journey Adventist Church. Bernal work for plant for about 15 years as electrician. Pastor John describe am as wonderful person wey always dey help anybody.
The Nippon Dynawave facility dey Longview, about 130 miles south of Seattle. E employ about 1,000 people. This na not first time the facility get problem; for July 2023, big fire burn piles of wood for days.
