Parts of the Newport Bayfront were evacuated Sunday morning after a large fire and ammonia leak at one of Pacific Seafood’s plants threatened the commercial and tourist-oriented area along Yaquina Bay.
Newport firefighters were dispatched at 8:51 a.m. Sunday and quickly called in help from departments from throughout Lincoln County. As of mid-morning Sunday there were 40 firefighters at the scene.
The city put emergency procedures into place and are evacuating other businesses and homes within a mile of the seafood plant.
Newport fire chief Rob Murphy confirmed that there was ammonia in the smoke from the fire, but was unsure to what degree. It was the acrid smoke and threat from the ammonia that prompted the evacuation.
Murphy said there was a partial roof collapse inside the Pacific Seafood plant.
“It’s going to be a long operation,” Murphy told the Lincoln Chronicle.
No injuries have been reported.
The city is setting up three gathering areas for anyone evacuated from the area – Sam Case Elementary School, city hall and the county courthouse.
The Lincoln County School District announced it was closing its Newport schools to the public on Sunday “out of an abundance of caution.”
