Level 3 "Go Now" Order at Newport Seafood Plant Eases After Ammonia Scare

Level 3 "Go Now" Order at Newport Seafood Plant Eases After Ammonia Scare

Morning Fire at Pacific Seafood Triggers One-Mile "Go Now" Zone

A large fire broke out on the morning of Oct. 25 at the Pacific Seafood plant in Newport's Historic Bayfront neighborhood, prompting the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to issue a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order within a one-mile radius. Level 3 is the highest evacuation level, meaning people inside the zone should leave immediately. The City of Newport said the evacuation was ordered because of potential ammonia contamination from the plant, centered near 203 SW Bay Boulevard.

8:30 a.m. Alarm Brings Hazmat Crews to Monitor Ammonia Risk

State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said crews received the call at 8:30 a.m. and mobilized a state hazardous-materials team because of anhydrous ammonia stored on site for refrigeration. Newport firefighters were dispatched at 8:51 a.m. and called in help from departments across Lincoln County, with about 40 firefighters on scene by midmorning. In a 10:34 a.m. update, the city told Newport residents to stay inside if possible, wear a mask outdoors, and call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies.

30 to 40 People Inside Are Accounted For; One Firefighter Hospitalized

City spokesperson John Fuller said approximately 30 to 40 people were in or near the building when the fire broke out, and Pacific Seafood confirmed all were accounted for. Fire Chief Rob Murphy said one firefighter was taken to the hospital for exhaustion, with no other injuries reported. Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital continued operating normally. Gov. Kotek said the state was closely monitoring the fire and would provide all resources needed to support local crews.

Ammonia Tank Found Intact as Evacuation Zone Shrinks to Blocks

On Sunday afternoon, the State Fire Marshal's office said the ammonia tank had been located and did not appear punctured or leaking, while hazmat crews kept monitoring the air. The sheriff's office downgraded some Level 3 "Go Now" areas to Level 2 "Be Ready," and officials said the evacuation footprint had shrunk from a full mile to a few blocks. State Rep. David Gomberg said hazmat teams had detected no ammonia leak but were watching the tank's exposure to structural collapse, with smoke from the smoldering building now the main concern.

Bay Boulevard Shops Still Closed as Investigators Seek Cause

Evacuees were directed to a shelter at Sam Case Elementary School at 459 NE 12th St, where pets were allowed, and US 20 from Harney Street West to US 101 was closed. By Oct. 26, most evacuation restrictions had been lifted, except for Bay Boulevard businesses between Hatfield Drive and Port Dock One. Pacific Seafood said the damaged building housed ice and freezer operations and expected a major loss. The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause with the Newport Fire Department, and additional firefighters from Marion and Lane counties were sent to relieve local crews.