Multiple injuries reported after chemical explosion at facility in Washington state

Multiple injuries have been reported following an explosion at a facility in Washington state, authorities said.

A "major chemical explosion" was reported Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company in Longview, fire authorities said.

"There are multiple reported injuries," the Longview Fire Department said in an alert on social media while urging residents to avoid the area amid the active emergency response.

The Nippon facility is located on the Washington-Oregon border near the Columbia River. It is a kraft pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.

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