Authorities in Newport, Oregon, ordered evacuations Sunday after a fire broke out at a Pacific Seafood processing plant. The order was issued due to concerns that smoke from the fire could contain ammonia or that storage tanks containing the chemical might rupture. Firefighters worked to prevent the flames from reaching the tanks while continuing to battle the blaze throughout the evening.
The fire occurred at a wholesaler and manufacturer located along Yaquina Bay, a site near a popular tourist area known for shops, restaurants, and tours. Public information officer John Fuller reported that between 30 and 40 people were inside the building when the fire started, though the cause remains unknown.
City officials initially established a one-mile evacuation radius, which was later reduced to a couple of blocks after investigators determined the ammonia tanks were stable. One firefighter was hospitalized for exhaustion, according to Fire Chief Rob Murphy, but no other injuries were reported among staff or the public. A temporary shelter for displaced residents was established at Atonement Lutheran Church.
Individuals in the vicinity faced potential health risks from ammonia exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to high levels of this colorless gas can cause skin, eye and throat irritation. The seafood plant itself faces what company vice president Ashton Meier described as a major loss.
The incident resulted in the closure of the Bayport section of Newport, a popular tourist area. While the immediate threat from ammonia tanks was downgraded on Sunday evening, the full scale of property damage is not yet known. As of Sunday night, the company confirmed all on-site team members were safe and accounted for.