Washington chemical tank was called unfit for service before deadly failure, investigators find
Summary
A chemical tank at a paper mill in Longview, Washington, was found unsafe 10 months before it exploded in May 2026, killing 11 people. The company did not make required repairs despite warnings, and the sudden failure released a large amount of a hazardous liquid used in paper making.Key Facts
- The chemical tank was inspected in July 2025 and labeled “not fit for continued service” due to severe thinning.
- The tank held white liquor, a dangerous chemical that can cause severe burns.
- Despite multiple inspections confirming the tank’s poor condition, no repairs or safety measures were done before it failed.
- The tank exploded on May 26, 2026, leading to 11 deaths and injuries to several workers and one firefighter.
- The failure blew out building walls and released about 900,000 gallons (3.4 million liters) of white liquor.
- Applied Technical Services LLC performed the inspections and recommended urgent internal inspection and repair.
- The explosion happened early in the morning just after workers started arriving.
- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is still investigating the exact cause of the tank failure.
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