Newport Orders One-Mile Evacuation After Seafood Plant Fire

A fire at the Pacific Seafood plant at 213 SW Bay Boulevard in Newport, Oregon, on Oct. 25 led authorities to order a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation over ammonia concerns. The fire was reported at 8:20 a.m.; the city announced it around 9:45 a.m. and Lincoln County Sheriff's Office issued an Everbridge alert shortly after 10 a.m. Firefighters sprayed water into the facility as social media video showed billowing white smoke blowing inland. No injuries were reported. Evacuees and pets were sent to Sam Case Elementary, 459 NE 12th St. At 10:34 a.m. the city said, "We recommend staying inside if you are in Newport today," and "If you must go outside, you should wear a mask." City public information officer John Fuller said the cause was unclear, officials were investigating potential ammonia contamination, and the radius is a "pretty good chunk" of the town of about 10,000. OPB noted the Everbridge alert listed a half-mile radius while the Sheriff's news release said one mile, and which was correct was not immediately clear. A wire summary reported a partial roof collapse inside the plant. The plant sits along Yaquina Bay near the sea lion dock. The cause remained undetermined.