NEWPORT, Ore — Multiple agencies are on scene of a large structure fire at the Pacific Seafood facility on Newport’s historic Bayfront.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office issued level 2 and 3 evacuations within a mile of the facility, located at 203 SW Bay Boulevard. Crews have since lifted evacuation levels in all areas except for Bay Blvd. between Hatfield Drive and Port Dock One. Businesses in that area are still evacuated.
An evacuation shelter was first set up at Sam Case Elementary and was moved to Atonement Lutheran Church at 2315 N Coast Hwy as wind patterns changed. The evacuation point at Atonement Lutheran Church is now closed, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have greatly reduced those evacuation zones here for our community thanks to our fire department and the 18 fire departments and emergency management teams that have come here to assist,” said John Fuller, Public Information Officer for the city of Newport.
According to the city of Newport, the evacuation was due to potential ammonia contamination.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said crews first got the call about the fire at 8:30 a.m., prompting her agency to mobilize a state hazmat team over concerns about an anhydrous ammonia tank on-site, a potentially dangerous chemical used for refrigeration.
The fire sent plumes of thick, white smoke over the area, which filled the air with what many described as a harsh, burnt plastic smell.
“It was very gray and moody, but then you could see billowing white clouds of definitely fire smoke coming from the bayfront as you crossed the bridge,” said Cathie Rigby, a Newport resident who helped with the emergency response.
City officials said small traces of ammonia were present in the smoke early Sunday morning but at non-harmful levels.
The fire broke out in a building used for freezing and keeping seafood cold, according to city officials. Firefighters managed to contain the fire, making sure it did not spread to other businesses.
Officials with the City of Newport said fire crews have mitigated the fire risk to the two ammonia tanks in the plant. The building partially collapsed, according to Newport Fire Chief Rob Murphy.
The main risk to the tanks, Ruiz-Temple said, has been the possibility of a structural collapse caused by the ongoing efforts to put out the fire. “The concern would be that if that does occur over the tank itself or near the tank and it punctures that could cause the release and so that is our number one concern,” she said. At last check, officials did not believe any tank had ruptured.
Additional fire service resources are heading to Newport to support local crews through the night and into Monday. The State Fire Marshal’s office confirmed that a strike team from Lane County would arrive in the morning and a Marion County task force would bring extra engines and a ladder truck to ease the burden on exhausted firefighters.
Oregon State Fire Marshal photo of crews on scene.
“We have additional fire resources coming in through the evening and we’re maintaining our state hazmat teams to do that plume modeling as necessary and air monitoring as well,” Ruiz-Temple said.
Approximately 30 to 40 people were inside the building at the time of the fire and all have been accounted for by Pacific Seafood, according to Chief Murphy.
According to the city of Newport, there have been no reported injuries at this time, but one firefighter was sent to the hospital for exhaustion Ruiz-Temple said. There is no official cause for what started the fire.
“The fire investigation part will be conducted after we’ve been able to put the fire out and checked on the stability of the building to make sure it’s safe enough for fire investigators to enter the building,” said Chief Murphy.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal said crews will continue monitoring air quality and lingering health risks, and the city advised people to wear masks if they need to go outdoors.
The city of Newport said there have not been any noticeable impacts to marine life.
Volunteers and local organizations provided food, warm meals, water and translation in both English and Spanish as evacuation orders were issued. Rigby noted, “some of our unhoused population also joined us because, you know, they’re outside and they’re breathing this dangerous air as well.”
City manager Nina Avett and Mayor Jan Kaplan, along with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, credited the broad regional response from neighboring fire departments, the Coast Guard and local agencies for helping bring the situation under control.
The facility, a major part of Newport’s harbor economy, remains shut down and many in town are concerned about what comes next.
“As soon as I heard who it was, I was a little bit heartbroken because they’re very critical,” said Rigby. We have a working bayfront. They’re smack dab in the center of all the hub and the activity that goes on there.”
“They’re a primary employer, especially for my community, the Latino community,” Rigby continued. “They’re an important employer, so I know that a lot of families and community members here rely on that work, and so they’re vital to our community, and a hit like this is difficult, not just for the business, but the entire community feels it.”
Shirley Kind with Food Share of Lincoln County said her organization and others quickly prepared emergency food boxes and offered help, though she noted the long-term impact is still unclear.
“The fact that this plant or that operation has been shut down is going to be just inconceivable,” King said
In a statement to KATU, Ashton Meier, VP of Resource Sales and Processing, said:
“Pacific Seafood is devastated by today’s fire in Newport. Although we are still working with emergency response officials to determine the full extent of the damage, we expect that it will be a major loss.
As a family-owned business, we deeply value our people and our community. We are eternally grateful for the help of the emergency responders today and thank them for all of their efforts. We are incredibly thankful and glad to report that all of our team members on site are safe and accounted for and that at this time we are not aware of any injuries to others in the area.
Our focus going forward will be on supporting our team members, our neighbors, and the people of Newport. In the days ahead, we will continue to work with public safety officials to make sure they have the access and information necessary to determine the cause of the fire, the extent of the damage, and any ongoing hazards or effects.
We appreciate everyone that has jumped into action, provided support, or reached out to us today.”
Fire at Pacific Seafood prompts Level 3 evacuations.
Gov. Kotek put out a statement on X saying, “we are closely monitoring the fire at Pacific Seafood in Newport. Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly to protect lives and property. The state will continue to provide all resources necessary to support local fire teams on the ground”.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from Newport Fire Department, according to Fuller.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital is operating as normal.
The Sheriff’s Office said updates will be posted at LINCALERTS. The notice was posted at 10:13 a.m. Sunday, October 25.