Firefighters pour water into the Pacific Seafood plant at 245 SE Bay Blvd., in Newport, Ore., on Oct. 25, 2026, after a fire broke out, releasing ammonia into the air and causing a partial roof collapse.
Shayla Escudero / Lincoln Chronicle
Residents and businesses within a mile of the Newport Bayfront were asked to evacuate Sunday after a large fire and ammonia leak at one of Pacific Seafood’s plants threatened the commercial and tourist-oriented area along Yaquina Bay.
Firefighters from departments from throughout Lincoln County have been pouring water on the plant at 245 S.E. Bay Blvd. since the first alarm at 8:51 a.m. Sunday.
As of early Sunday there were 40 firefighters and a special Oregon State Fire Marshal’s hazardous material response team at the scene. Police blocked entrances to the Bayfront.
Smoke billowed out of Pacific Seafoods, enveloping the hills to the north. Smoke could be smelled throughout the city including outside of Sam Case Elementary, which was initially set up as an evacuation center. The center was later moved to Atonement Lutheran Church along U.S. Highway 101.
The city put emergency procedures into place and ordered evacuations of homes and businesses within a mile of the plant – including all Port of Newport facilities, its RV park and marina on the south side of Yaquina Bay. The Hatfield Marine Science Center also closed. Businesses shuttered for the day.
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 notice.
“It’s going to be a long operation,” Murphy told the Lincoln Chronicle.
Smoke billows from one of Pacific Seafood’s processing plants on the Newport Bayfront early Sunday after an explosion, ammonia leak and partial roof collapse.
Garret Jaros / Lincoln Chronicle
No injuries have been reported.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal sent 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 they were 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.”
By 11:45 a.m. Sunday about a dozen evacuees, many with pets, had come to the elementary school where district employees had set up food and water. That number rose to 25-30 by the time the shelter operation was moved to the church.
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.
Smoke billowed out of Pacific Seafoods 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.
The city set up a gathering area for anyone evacuated from the area at Sam Case Elementary School.
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.
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