Flint, MI, is renovating two fire station kitchens due to mold and asbestos issues, with City Council approving $163,964 for the work expected to start after July 1.

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PHOTOS: Multiple people were injured and at least one person was killed after a major chemical explosion Tuesday morning at the Nippon Dynawave plant in Longview, an incident authorities described as a complex and hazardous industrial accident.

The one person confirmed dead was identified by his family as Gilbert Bernal, a grandfather whose son also worked at the mill.

Crews with the Longview Fire Department responded to the facility at 7:18 a.m. after a tank containing white liquor ruptured, according to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Scott Goldstein.

Officials said there was no direct threat to the surrounding community, but residents were urged to avoid Industrial Way and nearby areas while emergency crews continue response and recovery operations. Nippon Dynawave is a Kraft pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant.

White liquor, the chemical involved in the incident, is a highly corrosive alkaline solution primarily made of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. It is used in the Kraft papermaking process to break down wood chips into pulp.

During a 7 p.m. press conference, Battalion Chief Matt Amos with the Longview Fire Department confirmed multiple critical injuries and fatalities.

Officials said 10 people were transported to area hospitals, including eight plant employees and one firefighter. Authorities confirmed one death.

KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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VIDEO: One person is confirmed dead, nine people are missing, and nine more are injured after a vat containing hundreds of thousands of gallons of dangerous chemicals failed at the Nippon Dynawave packaging plant in Longview on Tuesday morning. At approximately 7:18 a.m. Tuesday, the Longview Fire Department (LFD) responded to a hazardous material incident at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.

According to fire officials, a tank containing a highly acidic chemical called white liquor ruptured. Images from the aftermath show flipped cars and a crushed vat. LFD Battalion Chief Mike Gorsuch described the scene as a “mass casualty scene,” according to The Associated Press. As of 5:30 p.m., one person was pronounced dead. At least ten people were taken to nearby hospitals, including eight employees and one firefighter, LFD said.

Nine employees remained unaccounted for, according to Longview Fire. Officials state that crews are on a recovery mission for those nine employees, rather than a rescue. “There is no belief that rescues still need to be made,” said Chief Scott Goldstein of Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue. Officials confirmed there is no immediate threat to the public, but they asked everyone to stay clear of the area for the time being.

“Recovery efforts remain complex due to ongoing safety concerns at the site. While originally believed to contain approximately 80,000 gallons, officials now report the tank held approximately 900,000 gallons of white liquor. Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue estimate roughly 90,000 gallons of material may remain inside the damaged tank,” Longview Fire posted to social media.

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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Dan J. Peters, a respected leader in the fire service, passed away on May 21, 2026. He is remembered for his leadership, mentorship, and deep commitment to the fire and emergency response community.

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VIDEO: A retired firefighter from Rogers Park who was born in Romania has climbed more than one dozen mountains, and despite being in his mid-70s, it seems he hasn’t yet reached his peak.

In Des Plaines, Viorel “Wally” Stirbu was praised after accomplishing a feat most could only dream of. “You can do it if you put your mind together, you train hard, and you’ve got a dream,” Stirbu said.

The 75-year-old retired Chicago firefighter, who spent 27 years with CFD, was honored at the Romanian Heritage Center after becoming one of the oldest mountain climbers to complete the Seven Summits challenge, reaching the highest peak on each of the seven continents.

“It was a little bit emotional because you’re thinking about, ‘Man, this is it? That’s it?'” Stirbu said. After 14 years, Stirbu completed the challenge last week by scaling Mount Everest and unfurling the CFD flag at the literal top of the world.

“To climb Everest at 75 years, it’s an example and a testament of courage,” said Consul General of Romania in Chicago Lucian-Ilie Stnic.

For Stirbu, that climb was bittersweet after surviving an avalanche on Mount Everest in 2015 that killed his friend, Google executive Dan Fredinburg. “I took his picture to the summit, and I say, ‘Hey Dan, you climb with me, man, wherever you are in heaven,'” Stirbu said.

For Stirbu, the journey continues. He says there are more mountains to climb. “But I just want to take my time, recoup, and see what my guide says,” Stirbu said. In his retirement, Stirbu also competes in triathlons. He hopes his accomplishments inspire people of all ages to challenge themselves.

WLS-TV ABC 7 Chicago

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