Hundreds evacuated within one-mile radius around processing facility
Hundreds of people were evacuated within a one-mile radius around the Pacific Seafood processing facility after a fire at the plant, city spokesperson John Fuller told CNN. Newport officials warned of possible ammonia contamination and recommended that residents stay inside or wear a mask if they had to go outside.
The City of Newport identified Pacific Seafood as the site of the fire in a social media post on Sunday.
“The evacuation is due to a potential ammonia contamination in the area from the plant. We recommend staying inside if you are in Newport today. If you must go outside, you should wear a mask,” the city said.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Level 3 evacuations were underway within a one-mile area around the plant. Level 3, the highest level, means residents in the area should immediately evacuate, the sheriff’s office said.
Newport officials said an evacuation shelter had been established at Sam Case Elementary School.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal said it had responded to the fire with hazma teams because of chemicals at the plant.
Pacific Seafood said in a statement that all employees were accounted for and that the company was unaware of any injuries.
The Level 3 evacuation applied within one mile of the processing facility, while the city’s stay-indoors recommendation covered people in Newport. The city also recommended that anyone who had to go outside wear a mask.