Chemical Tank Failure at Washington Paper Mill Linked to Missed Inspections, Investigators Find
Federal investigators have found that a chemical tank at a Washington state paper mill was deemed unfit for service 10 months before it catastrophically failed, resulting in the deaths of 11 workers. The company reportedly did not perform the recommended…
Denver, CO, August 28, 2026 — Federal investigators have determined that a chemical tank at a paper mill in Washington state was identified as unfit for service approximately 10 months prior to its catastrophic failure. This incident resulted in the deaths of 11 workers.
According to findings from federal investigators, the tank had been flagged as unsuitable for use months before the event that claimed the lives of 11 employees. Reports indicate that the company operating the paper mill allegedly failed to conduct the inspections and implement the necessary repairs that had been recommended.
The specific names of the paper mill, the company, and the federal investigative agency were not provided in the available summary. The exact date of the tank failure and the date it was initially deemed unfit for service also remain unspecified. Details regarding the nature of the chemical stored in the tank, the specific recommendations made for inspection and repair, and any subsequent actions taken or not taken by the company, such as permit status or inspection outcomes, were not disclosed in the provided summary.
The catastrophic failure of the tank led to a significant loss of life among the mill’s workers. The investigators’ findings point to a potential gap in maintenance and safety protocols, with the tank’s condition noted as compromised well in advance of the incident. The summary does not specify what occurred immediately following the failure beyond the fatalities.
Story summarized from the original created by AP via Scripps News Group on www.denver7.com, see more information here.
