Published 7:33 am Monday, October 26, 2026

Residents and visitors in Newport were evacuated Sunday when a fire erupted at a seafood production plant and it was feared ammonia tanks could rupture and send dangerous amounts of the chemical into the air.

The fire at Pacific Seafood closed off the popular Bayport section of the coastal city. Firefighters swarmed the plant and were able to keep flames from the tanks, but continued to battle the fire Sunday evening.

The City of Newport initially issued an evacuation order for a 1-mile radius around the plant due to concerns that smoke from the fire contained ammonia. Officials later decreased the evacuation zone to a couple of blocks surrounding the plant after they determined the ammonia tanks were stable.

The city, located about 132 miles southwest of Portland, has a population of about 10,000 people. Its bayfront is a popular tourist attraction featuring restaurants, shops and tours.

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a sharp odor.…