Oregon Seafood Plant Fire Forces Evacuations in Newport Over Ammonia Fears

A large fire at a seafood processing plant in Newport, Oregon, forced hundreds of residents and visitors to leave nearby areas on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as emergency officials investigated the possibility of dangerous ammonia exposure. Firefighters worked for hours to control the flames while authorities warned people to avoid the smoke spreading across the coastal community.

The fire broke out shortly before 9 a.m. local time at a Pacific Seafood facility along Newport’s historic Bayfront. Thick clouds of smoke rose above the building, prompting an emergency response involving local firefighters, law enforcement officers and hazardous materials specialists.

City officials initially warned that ammonia used in the facility’s refrigeration system could create a serious public health risk if it escaped into the surrounding air. The uncertainty led authorities to expand evacuation measures while emergency crews assessed conditions at the plant.

According to CNN’s reporting on the Newport seafood plant fire, the incident affected a community of just over 10,000 residents, including businesses and residential neighborhoods near the waterfront.

The emergency began in the Bayfront district, an area known for its fishing industry, seafood businesses, restaurants and tourist attractions. Authorities initially established an evacuation zone extending approximately half a mile from the facility.

As concerns about possible ammonia contamination increased, officials expanded the evacuation area to a one-mile radius. The wider zone included residential neighborhoods beyond the mainly commercial waterfront.

John Fuller, a spokesperson for the City of Newport, told CNN that hundreds of people were affected by the evacuation measures. Officials encouraged residents to follow emergency instructions and avoid unnecessary travel near the fire.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office also issued evacuation guidance for the affected area. Early warnings included Level 3 evacuation notices, the highest evacuation level in Oregon’s emergency warning system, directing people in designated areas to leave immediately.

Authorities closed sections of nearby roads to prevent vehicles and pedestrians from entering dangerous areas. The closures included a section of US Highway 20 between Harney Street West and US Highway 101.

Firefighters faced difficult conditions as they worked to contain the blaze. Video shared by city officials showed emergency crews spraying water onto the burning building while heavy smoke continued to rise from the structure.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal sent a hazardous materials team to help assess the chemical risks. Specialists used monitoring equipment to examine air conditions and identify areas that might face exposure.

Ammonia is commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems, including facilities that store and process seafood. Although it serves an important purpose in keeping products cold, high concentrations can create serious health risks.


According to the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to high levels of ammonia in the air can irritate the eyes, skin, throat and lungs. Severe exposure can cause coughing, burns and breathing difficulties, while people with asthma may be particularly sensitive.

Officials initially detected low traces of ammonia in smoke associated with the fire, according to CNN’s updated reporting. However, the presence of ammonia in smoke did not establish that the facility’s storage tanks had ruptured.

Later on Sunday, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple reported that responders had located the ammonia tank and found no apparent puncture or leak.

This development reduced fears of a major chemical release. Authorities subsequently scaled back the evacuation area as firefighters continued dealing with the smoke and damaged building.

The immediate evacuation zone was reduced to several blocks surrounding the plant. Nevertheless, officials continued to warn that smoke from the burning facility could pose a health concern.

Residents were advised to remain indoors when possible and avoid breathing smoke. Officials also recommended wearing a mask if going outside was necessary, although ordinary face masks do not provide reliable protection against hazardous ammonia gas.

Emergency shelters were arranged for people who had to leave their homes or businesses. Authorities initially opened a temporary shelter at Sam Case Elementary School.

The shelter was later relocated to Atonement Lutheran Church, farther north of the affected area, as a precaution against changing smoke conditions.

The evacuation disrupted activity across Newport, particularly around the waterfront. Businesses closed temporarily, roads became inaccessible and visitors were asked to stay away from affected locations.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium also announced that it would close for the remainder of Sunday because of the emergency.

Despite the size of the fire, officials reported that the workers inside the facility had escaped safely.

Approximately 30 to 40 employees were present when the fire began, according to information released by city officials. All workers were accounted for, and no civilian injuries had been reported in the available updates.

One firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment related to exhaustion, according to Newport Fire Chief Rob Murphy. No additional injuries were reported in the later accounts reviewed.

Pacific Seafood confirmed that its employees were safe and said the company was cooperating with emergency responders.

Ashton Meier, the company’s vice president of resource sales and processing, expressed concern about the damage and the effect on the Newport community.

The company said it expected substantial losses, although officials had not yet established the full extent of the destruction.

Pacific Seafood also emphasized that its immediate priority was supporting employees, local residents and emergency personnel.

The company said it would continue working with public safety officials to investigate the fire, assess damage and identify any remaining hazards.

The incident also raised concerns among people living near the facility.

Oregon resident Coby Bertalotto shared video footage with CNN showing heavy smoke covering parts of Newport. He described driving through smoke so thick that visibility became difficult.

Bertalotto also reported an unusual rubber-like smell near businesses and tourist attractions in the waterfront district.

Other residents described the emotional impact of watching flames spread through a facility closely connected to Newport’s fishing industry.

The coastal city depends heavily on maritime businesses, seafood processing and tourism. Pacific Seafood is an important part of that local economy, making the fire a significant concern beyond the immediate emergency.

Newport’s waterfront attracts visitors throughout the year, although October falls outside the busiest summer tourism season.

The fire’s timing on a Sunday meant that some businesses and attractions had visitors in the area when emergency warnings began.

Officials continued urging people to avoid restricted locations so firefighters could operate safely.

Emergency responders also faced the challenge of accessing damaged sections of the building. Fire Chief Murphy explained that unsafe interior conditions limited firefighters’ ability to enter the structure.

Crews worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings while maintaining precautions around the refrigeration equipment.

By Sunday afternoon, officials reported that the fire had remained confined to the affected facility, although firefighting operations continued.

Authorities had not determined what caused the blaze. Investigators were expected to examine the damaged building once conditions allowed them to enter safely.

Officials had also not provided a final assessment of the financial losses or the time needed to restore operations.

For Newport residents, the reduction in the evacuation area offered some relief, but concerns about smoke and damage remained.

The incident highlighted how an industrial fire can quickly affect an entire community when hazardous materials are present at a commercial facility.

The emergency response involved coordination among firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, state hazardous materials specialists, city officials and local organizations providing temporary shelter.

As Newport continued responding to the emergency, authorities encouraged residents to follow official safety announcements rather than assume that reduced evacuation boundaries meant every affected area was safe.

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As of the latest Sunday reports reviewed, the ammonia tanks appeared stable, the immediate evacuation zone had been reduced, and all plant employees were accounted for. Firefighters continued working at the scene, while the cause of the fire remained unknown.

The investigation will determine how the fire started, what damage it caused and whether any additional safety measures are necessary before the affected area can fully return to normal.