Longview explosion LIVE: Nippon plant 'rocked by blast' as fire engines swarm in

1 hour ago 1

A huge blast has been reported.

17:25, Tue, May 26, 2026 Updated: 17:25, Tue, May 26, 2026

Blurred view of fire truck driving in city

Stock photo of fire engine (Image: Getty)

A huge explosion has occurred at the Nippon facility in Longview, in the US state of Washington. Several people were hospitalised with chemical burns on Tuesday morning following the explosion at around 7.30am, though the exact number is not yet known. The Longview Fire Department (LPD) confirmed the incident occurred near the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.

LPD Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch told KIRO Newsradio: "The initial call came out as chemical burns, and initial resources found that there were multiple patients." The explosion is now under control, though locals have been asked to avoid the area.

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46 mins ago17:25 Rebecca Robinson

Emergency services on scene

Emergency services are at the scene of the chemical explosion, and residents have been asked to avoid the area while the incident is dealt with.

56 mins ago17:15 Rebecca Robinson

Unknown number of injuries

Several people have been hospitalised with chemical burns, though the exact number is not yet known. Fire chief Mike Gorsuch said there were "multiple patients".

58 mins ago17:13 Rebecca Robinson

Avoid the area

The explosion is now under control, though locals have been asked to avoid the area.

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1 hour ago17:11 Rebecca Robinson

What is a chemical explosion?

A chemical explosion is a result of applying an external force to a chemical compound, which causes the compound to undergo a structural change, releasing high amounts of heat and gas.

1 hour ago17:09 Rebecca Robinson

Explosion caused by chemical

The fire department said the explosion involved a chemical, but did not confirm which one.

1 hour ago17:06 Rebecca Robinson

Longview explosion mapped

The explosion rocked a paper mill in Washington state, USA.

1 hour ago17:05 Rebecca Robinson

Where was the explosion?

The Longview Fire Department (LPD) confirmed the incident occurred near the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.

1 hour ago17:04 Rebecca Robinson

'Multiple' burn victims

Several people have been hospitalised with chemical burns, though the exact number is not yet known.

LPD Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch told KIRO Newsradio: "The initial call came out as chemical burns, and initial resources found that there were multiple patients.

1 hour ago17:03 Rebecca Robinson