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NEWPORT – Businesses and homes within a mile 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.
Smoke billowed out of the Pacific Seafood plant and enveloped the hill on Hatfield Drive, where police blocked an entrance to the Bayfront. Residents could smell smoke throughout the city including outside of Sam Case Elementary.
Because of the threat of ammonia contamination, the city recommended that Newport residents stay inside Sunday or if they go outside to wear a mask.
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 also 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 Oregon State Fire Marshal said it was sending a regional hazardous materials team and coordinator to Newport to help.
A spokesman for Clackamas-based Pacific Seafood said in a statement to the Lincoln Chronicle that they are not aware of any injuries and all employees were accounted for.
“However, the situation is still ongoing and we are focused on supporting emergency responders to help ensure everyone is safe,” the statement said. “We will work closely with appropriate authorities to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident once the immediate response is complete.”
The city set up a gathering area for anyone evacuated from the area at Sam Case Elementary School.
The Lincoln County School District announced it was closing its other schools in Newport to the public on Sunday “out of an abundance of caution.”
By 11:45, about a dozen evacuees, many with pets, had come to Sam Case school where district employees had set up food and water.
Caitlin Ryan, who lives on Lee Street directly north of the plant, was in her pajamas in bed when she got the evacuation order. She quickly rounded up her two children and their dog, jumped into their car and headed to the school.
“I’m just very nervous, I couldn’t get my kitten to cooperate and had to leave other pets at home,” Ryan said.
Marsha and Dave Eckleman live by the Newport Recreation Center and first found out about the fire when a neighbor called them at 9:35 a.m. The took only their phones and keys with them when they were evacuated.
“We’d rather be home but ammonia is no joke?” Dave Eckleman said.
Credit: Garret Jaros / Lincoln Chronicle
