Possible ammonia contamination following a fire at a seafood processing plant has prompted evacuation recommendations in Newport, Oregon, with officials urging people in the coastal city to remain indoors.
The incident occurred at Pacific Seafood, where firefighters were working to contain the blaze. The city said anyone who had to go outside should wear a mask, while emergency crews assessed the potential chemical risk.
John Fuller, a city spokesperson, said hundreds of people had been evacuated from an expanded one-mile radius around the plant. The evacuation was strongly recommended but was not mandatory, he said.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Level 3 evacuations were under way within the one-mile zone. The highest evacuation level, it tells residents in the affected area to leave immediately.
The initial half-mile zone covered Newport’s Bayfront area, which is mainly commercial and includes tourist attractions. The wider area now includes nearby residential neighbourhoods in the city, which has just over 10,000 residents.
A shelter was opened for evacuees at Sam Case Elementary School. US 20 was closed between Harney Street West and US 101, and people were told to stay away from the scene.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal was responding with a hazardous-materials team because of chemicals at the facility. The cause of the fire and the possible ammonia contamination remain under investigation.
Pacific Seafood said it was not aware of any injuries and that all employees had been accounted for. “However, the situation is still ongoing and we are focused on supporting emergency responders to help ensure everyone is safe,” a company spokesperson said.
Video footage showed firefighters spraying the building, while thick smoke was reported across parts of Newport. Local resident Coby Bertalotto said the smoke was so dense he could not see the side of the road while driving through it.
He described the smell outside as “rubbery” and said several blocks near shops, bars and other tourist attractions were affected.
Exposure to high levels of ammonia in the air can irritate the skin, eyes, throat and lungs, and may cause coughing and burns. People with asthma may be more sensitive, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
