WA attorney general's office begins probe into Longview mill disaster

The Washington attorney general's office will investigate the Longview packaging mill implosion that killed 11 workers in May and determine whether any criminal activity may have contributed to the disaster.

The attorney general's office said Wednesday it has been given permission by the Cowlitz County prosecuting attorney's office to examine what occurred when a tank at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging facility ruptured, spilling hundreds of thousands of gallons of white liquor, a highly caustic chemical. Eleven workers died and at least eight other people were injured.

"Washington deserves a thorough investigation to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again," Attorney General Nick Brown said in a news release.

The office noted in the release that it hasn't made any allegations, nor does it presume any wrongdoing "actively contributed to the disaster at this time."

Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jurvakainen accepted the attorney general's office's offer to assist in the investigation. Under state law, the office may only undertake criminal prosecutions if a county prosecuting attorney or the governor requests it.

Three other state and federal investigations into the Southwest Washington disaster are also underway by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Following the fatal chemical spill at Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, The Seattle Times is reporting on the paper and pulp mill industry. If you have any experience in the industry - whether working in a mill, in management, at a regulatory agency or in another capacity - we would like to hear from you.

Do you have information that we should consider investigating? You can reach our investigative team a few ways. You can email us at investigations@seattletimes.com or if you want to send a tip securely, visit our secure tips page.

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