Another fatality confirmed after Nippon chemical spill in Longview
Authorities have confirmed an additional death has occurred due to Tuesday's rupture of an industrial tank at Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. in Longview, bringing the death toll to two as of Wednesday morning.
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Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein said no more recoveries are expected at the mill at 3401 Industrial Way.
"We have declared this incident a transition from rescue to recovery as of this morning," he said at a Wednesday press conference.
The second fatality was transported on Tuesday from the mill along the Columbia River, but later died due to injuries.
Goldstein said first responders are tirelessly working the site, despite losing coworkers and friends.
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson said at the Wednesday conference that the death toll is expected to rise.
"We're bracing ourselves for this to be the largest industrial tragedy in modern Washington history," he said.
25K gallons remaining in tank
Emergency crews have developed a plan to remove the damaged tank's remaining estimated 25,000 gallons of white liquor, a caustic chemical mixture that turns wood into paper.
When they reviewed the tank, crews found the total was much less than the previously anticipated 90,000 gallons left. The tank is also more stable than expected, said Goldstein. First responders have a contingency plan if the tank's stability is questioned again, he said.
Recovery efforts for the nine individuals who remain missing were delayed Tuesday evening due to safety concerns over the structural integrity of the damaged industrial tank.
Longview Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Amos said during Tuesday evening's press conference that white liquor can cause second- to third-degree burns.
'When one of us grieves, we all grieve': Longview vigil honors Nippon victims
Hundreds gathered at R.A. Long Memorial Park after the estimated 500,000-gallon spill that occured early Tuesday.
He said the firefighter who was injured has been released from the hospital and has followup appointments.
Seven workers remain hospitalized, he added.
Those recovered will undergo decontamination before being transported to the Cowlitz County Coroner's Office for identification and family notification, the press release states.
A list of names will be released once everyone is accounted for and all families have been notified.
Sgt. Riley McNeal, of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, told The Daily News that the agency is conducting a death investigation and not a criminal investigation regarding Tuesday's tank incident.
Ferguson said rebuilding from the tragedy will take time.
"This is a resilient community; we've certainly seen that in the response to this tragedy," Ferguson said. "We'll need every ounce of the ressillincy in the weeks, months and years ahead."
Officials say no more rescues expected though 9 missing after Nippon chemical spill
The white liquor that spilled can cause second- and third-degree burns, officials reported.
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