Possible ammonia contamination prompts evacuations in Newport after seafood plant fire
Sandego.net – Possible ammonia contamination prompts evacuations in Newport, Oregon, after a fire at a Pacific Seafood processing plant led officials to order people away from nearby areas Sunday. Emergency crews continued responding at the facility while authorities assessed whether ammonia may have affected the surrounding community.
Officials expanded the evacuation zone to one mile around the plant, extending beyond Newport’s Bayfront commercial district into nearby residential neighborhoods. Newport has a population of just over 10,000, and a city spokesperson said hundreds of residents and others were believed to have been asked to leave.
In an update issued at 10:34 a.m. PT, city officials advised people still in Newport to remain indoors when possible. Those who needed to go outside were urged to wear a mask as responders worked at the scene.
The evacuation is due to a potential ammonia contamination in the area from the plant.
One-mile evacuation order issued near Newport Bayfront
The initial evacuation area covered about a half-mile around the seafood facility in Newport’s Bayfront district. The area includes businesses and visitor destinations, though it has fewer homes than surrounding neighborhoods.
Authorities later widened the boundary to one mile as the incident continued. The expanded area includes homes near the processing plant, increasing the number of residents affected by the precautionary order.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Level 3 evacuations were in effect within the one-mile zone. Level 3 is the highest evacuation designation and means people should leave immediately.
Officials also asked the public to avoid the area because of the fire and the potential chemical hazard. Travel restrictions were put in place nearby, including the closure of US 20 from Harney Street West to US 101.
Shelter available for evacuated residents
Newport officials opened an evacuation shelter at Sam Case Elementary School for people forced to leave their homes. The shelter was intended to provide a safe place for evacuees while firefighters worked to control the fire and emergency teams evaluated the possible ammonia issue.
Video posted by the city showed firefighters directing water at the building Sunday morning. The response remained active, and officials said they would release more information as it became available.
Residents ordered to evacuate were told not to return until authorities say it is safe. People outside the evacuation area were advised to stay indoors when possible, limit time outside and monitor local updates.
Pacific Seafood says workers were accounted for
Pacific Seafood said it was not aware of any injuries connected to the fire and that all employees had been accounted for. The company said the situation remained ongoing as it supported emergency responders.
However, the situation is still ongoing and we are focused on supporting emergency responders to help ensure everyone is safe.
Officials had not confirmed the extent of any ammonia contamination or said when residents could return. The evacuation was based on a possible risk, not a confirmed widespread release, but authorities urged people in the affected area to follow the Level 3 order.
Newport evacuation FAQ
What should I do if I live inside the evacuation zone?
Leave immediately if your address is within the Level 3 evacuation area. Follow directions from emergency officials, avoid the seafood plant and do not return until the evacuation order has been lifted.
Where can evacuated residents go?
Officials opened an evacuation shelter at Sam Case Elementary School for people displaced by the order.
Which road was closed during the response?
US 20 was closed from Harney Street West to US 101. Drivers were asked to use alternate routes and avoid the evacuation area.
Has ammonia contamination been confirmed?
Officials described the concern as potential ammonia contamination while emergency crews assessed conditions at and around the plant. No confirmed extent of contamination was immediately announced.
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