Fire at Coastal Seafood Facility Ends Without Ammonia Leak
A fire at a seafood processing facility in Newport, Oregon, led to emergency evacuations after officials feared that stored ammonia could leak into the surrounding area. Later inspections found that the tanks were still intact and that there was no continuing threat of ammonia contamination.
Evacuations Ordered Near the Fire
Fire crews arrived at the facility shortly before 9 a.m. The building is located in the city’s Bayfront neighborhood, a busy area near the coast. The fire burned inside a freezer building used to store seafood, but it did not spread into the main processing plant.
Because the facility contained ammonia tanks, officials first ordered the highest level of evacuation for people within about one mile of the fire. The order was made as a precaution in case heat or damage caused a tank to rupture.
People living or working nearby were told to leave the area. Others were urged to remain indoors and wear masks if they had to go outside. A local church opened its doors as a temporary shelter for people who had been displaced.
Ammonia Tanks Remained Secure
Firefighters and a regional hazardous-materials team inspected the facility and worked to protect the ammonia tanks. One tank was found inside the building, but it did not appear to be punctured or leaking.
Small traces of ammonia were detected early in the response. However, crews later determined that the gas was not spreading and that there was no ongoing danger to people nearby. The material inside the tanks remained stable.
Ammonia can be dangerous when people breathe high amounts of it or come into contact with it. It may harm the skin, eyes, throat and lungs. Very heavy exposure can cause serious lung injuries or death. In this case, emergency crews said the tanks had been secured and were not creating a continuing exposure risk.
Smoke Remained the Main Concern
Although the ammonia danger had passed, the fire continued to produce heavy smoke. Officials said smoke was the main environmental concern while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.
A small evacuation zone remained in place around several blocks near the facility. Residents and visitors were asked to stay clear of the area while firefighters continued their work.
Images from the scene showed thick smoke rising from a blue-painted building. Fire trucks sprayed large amounts of water on the structure as crews battled the flames.
No Serious Injuries Reported
About 30 to 40 people were in or near the facility when the fire began. All workers at the site were accounted for, and no injuries were reported among employees or nearby residents.
One firefighter received treatment for exhaustion. No other injuries were known at the time of the emergency response.
The area can become much busier during the summer tourist season, when as many as 200 people may be in the nearby neighborhood. The limited number of people present during the fire helped reduce the risk of a larger emergency.
Important Local Employer Faces Major Damage
The seafood company that operates the facility is one of Newport’s major employers and plays an important role in the local economy. City leaders described the business as a key part of the community.
The company said the fire was a devastating loss and that the damage could be extensive. It also expressed thanks to firefighters, hazardous-materials crews and other emergency workers who protected the ammonia tanks and responded to the blaze.
Company leaders said all workers at the site were safe and accounted for. They also said no injuries to other people in the area were known.
Public safety officials and company representatives planned to examine the facility to determine what caused the fire and identify any remaining dangers. The city also said there had been no reported harm to marine life from the incident.