Seafood Plant Fire Spurs Evacuations Over Ammonia Risk in Oregon Town
WHO:
ABC News - The City of Newport issued the evacuation order.
ABC News - John Fuller, the city’s public information officer, said the fire’s cause was unclear and officials were investigating possible ammonia contamination.
ABC News - Pacific Seafood is a wholesaler and manufacturer involved in fishing, seafood processing, and distribution across the country.
CNN - The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office announced Level 3 evacuations and a road closure.
CNN - A Pacific Seafood spokesperson said the company was not aware of injuries and that all employees had been accounted for.
WHAT:
KCBY - Evacuations for much of the affected area were downgraded to Level 2 (Be Set), according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
KCBY - Hazmat crews were investigating whether an ammonia release had occurred; no civilian injuries had been reported.
KCBY - Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and other medical facilities remained open and available.
ABC News - A fire broke out at a Pacific Seafood processing plant in Newport; crews remained at the scene, and no injuries had been reported.
ABC News - Newport ordered evacuations within a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of the plant and established a shelter at a local elementary school.
CNN - The sheriff’s office said Level 3—the highest evacuation level—was in effect within a one-mile radius; residents in the affected area were told to leave immediately.
CNN - US 20 was closed from Harney Street West to US 101.
CNN - The city posted footage showing firefighters spraying down the building.
CNN - The company said the situation was ongoing and it was supporting emergency responders to help ensure everyone’s safety.
WHERE:
KCBY - Newport’s evacuation shelter was moved to Atonement Lutheran Church at 23315 N. Coast Highway.
KCBY - The fire was at the Pacific Seafood facility at 203 SW Bay Blvd in Newport.
KCBY - The original shelter location, Sam Case Elementary School, is at 459 NE 12th St.
ABC News - The fire was at a Pacific Seafood processing plant in Newport, a coastal Oregon city about 132 miles (212 kilometers) southwest of Portland.
CNN - Evacuees could go to Sam Case Elementary School.
ABC News - The plant is along Yaquina Bay, near a dock where sea lions gather; the evacuation area included homes and businesses.
ABC News - Newport has about 10,000 residents, and its bayfront features restaurants, shops, and tours.
WHY:
ABC News - Officials were concerned that smoke could contain ammonia because of chemicals at the plant; the potential airborne contamination was under investigation.
CNN - The city said the evacuation was due to potential ammonia contamination from the plant.
ABC News - The CDC says high ammonia exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat; ammonia is a colorless gas with a sharp odor.
HOW:
KCBY - Evacuees were permitted to bring pets to the shelter.
KCBY - The city said it was preparing an updated evacuation map for sharing.
ABC News - Officials urged residents and visitors to stay indoors and wear a mask if outside.
CNN - The city’s update also advised people in Newport to stay inside and wear a mask if they had to go outside; officials said updates would continue on the post.
(UPDATED October 25, 2026 22:00 UTC)
A fire at a Pacific Seafood processing plant in Newport, Oregon, prompted evacuations as hazmat crews investigated possible ammonia contamination. Officials initially ordered people within a one-mile radius to leave immediately, and US 20 was closed between Harney Street West and US 101. The city opened a shelter at Sam Case Elementary School, then moved it to Atonement Lutheran Church; evacuees may bring pets. Later, evacuations across much of the area were downgraded to Level 2, meaning residents should be ready to leave. Officials urged people to stay indoors and wear a mask if they must go outside. The cause of the fire remained unclear, and the possible release of ammonia was under investigation. No civilian injuries had been reported, and the company said all employees were accounted for. Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and other medical facilities remained open.
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(UPDATED October 25, 2026 21:01 UTC)
A fire at a Pacific Seafood processing plant in Newport, Oregon, prompted the city to order evacuations within a one-mile radius as officials investigated possible ammonia contamination. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office issued Level 3 evacuations, the highest level, and told people in the affected area to leave immediately. Evacuees can go to Sam Case Elementary School, while US 20 is closed between Harney Street West and US 101. Crews remained at the scene, with firefighters seen spraying down the building. No injuries had been reported, and the company said all employees had been accounted for. Officials said chemicals at the plant raised concerns that smoke could contain ammonia, but the fire’s cause was unclear and under investigation. Residents and visitors were urged to stay indoors and wear a mask if they must go outside. The company said it was supporting emergency responders.