Ammonia tank intact after Newport seafood plant fire, officials say

A fire at a Pacific Seafood plant in Newport, Oregon, forced evacuations over fears of an ammonia leak, but the ammonia tank at the plant does not appear to have been damaged, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has said.

The fire was reported at 8:20am on Sunday 25 October, according to the Statesman Journal, citing PulsePoint. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office ordered a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation for a one-mile radius around the plant, with other areas under Level 2 “Be Ready” status, and a shelter for evacuees and their pets was set up at Sam Case Elementary.

Anhydrous ammonia, used in refrigeration at the facility, was present in the smoke, and the state fire marshal sent a hazardous materials team to monitor the air and model where there could be impacts to help with evacuations.

“The ammonia tank has been found and, thankfully, doesn’t appear to be punctured or leaking,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Our team is on the ground and will remain in Newport through the duration of the incident.”

Evacuation orders were later eased for much of the affected area, reports said, and no civilian injuries had been reported, according to the city.

Sources: Oregon State Fire Marshal via EIN Presswire | Statesman Journal