By Islam El-Sakka
Authorities in Newport, Oregon, have confirmed there is no ongoing threat of ammonia contamination following a major fire at a Pacific Seafood processing and distribution plant on Sunday morning.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
The blaze broke out just before 9 a.m. in a freezer facility used for seafood storage. Due to the potential for chemical leaks, officials initially issued a level 3 evacuation order, warning of extreme danger within a one-mile radius of the plant. While trace amounts of ammonia were initially detected, the state fire marshal confirmed that an ammonia tank on-site remained intact and unpunctured.
Newport Fire Chief Rob Murphy stated that regional hazmat teams and firefighters successfully protected the storage tanks, ensuring the contents remained stable. As of Sunday afternoon, the primary environmental concern shifted to smoke produced by the ongoing fire.
Impact on Personnel and Community
City spokesperson John Fuller reported that between 30 and 40 people were in or near the facility when the fire erupted. No injuries were reported among the staff, though one firefighter received treatment for exhaustion. A shelter was established at Atonement Lutheran Church for those displaced by the precautionary evacuations.
The fire occurred in the Bayfront neighborhood, an area that typically sees much higher foot traffic during the summer tourist season. Officials noted that there have been no reported impacts on local marine life.
Business Losses and Investigation
Pacific Seafood, a significant local employer and a vital part of the Newport economy, expressed devastation over the incident. Ashton Meier, vice president of resource sales and processing at Pacific Seafood, stated that the company expects the fire to result in a major loss but confirmed that all team members on-site are safe and accounted for.
The company is currently working with public safety officials to investigate the cause of the blaze and identify any remaining hazards.
