A major chemical explosion at a Washington state packaging company has killed multiple people and critically injured others.

“The explosion happened at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company in Longview, Washington, about an hour north and over the state border from Portland,” USA TODAY reports.

“9:37 am: Longview Fire Department is responding to a hazardous materials incident at Nippon Dynawave Packaging, 3401 Industrial Way, following an implosion involving a vat of chemical treatment product at approximately 7:18 a.m. Tuesday. Officials say there is no immediate threat to the public,” the Longview Fire Department wrote on Facebook.

“Multiple people suffered chemical burns and other injuries and were transported by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview and PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. The extent of the injuries is not fully known at this time. Fire crews and a Hazardous Materials Team remain on scene working with Nippon Dynawave employees to mitigate the product and container involved,” it continued.

“Officials have confirmed several people died following this morning’s explosion at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview. Emergency responders say a tank containing white liquor ruptured around 7:15 a.m., killing some and critically hurting others. Several people were taken to the hospital in Longview and Vancouver. Authorities say there is no immediate threat to the surrounding community, but the area is still closed off as investigation continues,” reporter Mckenzie Richmond said.

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USA TODAY has more:

Scott Goldstein, chief of Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, said an “unknown number” of people were killed and some remain unaccounted for, but declined to say exactly how many. Goldstein said 10 people, including one firefighter, were hospitalized with injuries ranging from “critical, severe to minor.”

Jim Murez, a spokesperson for PeaceHealth, said the medical center in Longview received nine patients from the incident, one of whom is deceased and six of whom are in “fair condition.” The final two patients were transferred to other facilities.

Identifying information about the victims has not yet been released pending notification of their loved ones, the statement said.

The facility is a pulp and paper mill and a liquid packaging plant, according to the Washington Department of Ecology, which said it regulates the “air, water, and hazardous waste activities” there. An ecology spills team is on site to evaluate the impact of the incident, department spokesperson Brittny Goodsell said.

“My team and I are tracking developments in Longview closely after a major chemical explosion. Responders from our state Department of Ecology have been deployed to the scene,” Gov. Bob Ferguson said.

“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,” he continued.

“I just met with leaders at key state agencies tracking the latest on the Longview explosion. Ecology and L&I have teams are on the scene. Washington State Emergency Management is in constant communication with local responders,” Ferguson said in another post.

“I directed our National Guard teams on alert. We’ll be sharing updates as the situation develops. My prayers are with the families of those lost in this tragedy,” he added.

KATU shared further:

White liquor is a strong alkaline liquid made mostly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. In the Kraft process, it is used to cook wood chips and turn them into pulp for papermaking by dissolving the substances that hold the wood fibers together. It is considered extremely dangerous and is highly corrosive.

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The white liquor tank was 60% full at the time of the implosion, fire officials said. The cause has not yet been determined.

In an update just after 11 a.m., Longview Fire officials confirmed fatalities from this incident.

Officials say 10 people, including one firefighter, were injured and transferred to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview and PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. The injuries ranged from critical to minor.

A spokesperson for PeaceHealth later issued a statement, saying it had received nine patients from the incident. Of those patients, PeaceHealth said one died, two were transferred, and six are in fair condition. PeaceHealth said it does not expect any additional patients. The injured firefighter was treated and released.

No IDs will be released until families are notified.

Fire officials confirm that there were still individuals who remain unaccounted for. It is unclear how many.

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