Toxic gas fears spark mass evacuation as massive fire engulfs Oregon seafood plant

An evacuation order was issued for residents and visitors in a small Oregon coastal city on Sunday after a fire broke out at a seafood processing facility, prompting fears that rupture-prone ammonia tanks could release hazardous chemical fumes into the air.Emergency crews converged on the Pacific Seafood facility, successfully keeping flames away from the chemical tanks while continuing to battle the blaze into Sunday evening. The incident forced the closure of Newport's popular Bayfront district.Municipal officials initially established a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) evacuation zone around the plant because of concerns that the smoke contained toxic ammonia. Emergency services later reduced the restriction to a perimeter of just a couple of blocks after confirming the ammonia storage tanks remained stable.This photo provided by the Oregon State Fire Marshall shows firefighters trying to extinguish a fire at a seafood wholesaler in Newport (AP)Located roughly 132 miles (212 kilometers) southwest of Portland, Newport has a population of about 10,000 residents. The city's bayfront is a central tourist attraction, featuring an array of shops, restaurants, and waterfront excursions.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ammonia is a colorless gas characterized by a sharp odor. Exposure to high concentrations can cause skin, eye, and throat irritation.John Fuller, a public information officer representing the city, told The Associated Press that the cause of the fire remains unclear.Speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Fuller confirmed that between 30 and 40 people were inside the building when the fire started. Fire Chief Rob Murphy said one firefighter was taken to the hospital from exhaustion, but no additional injuries were reported.Emergency crews converged on the Pacific Seafood facility, successfully keeping flames away from the chemical tanks while continuing to battle the blaze into Sunday evening (Oregon State Fire Marshal)Pacific Seafood operates as a major wholesale supplier and manufacturer, managing fishing operations, processing, and nationwide distribution. The affected plant is situated along the city's Yaquina Bay, adjacent to a dock where sea lions frequently gather.Ashton Meier, the company's vice president of resource sales and processing, said the firm expects a major loss after the incident."We are incredibly thankful and glad to report that all of our team members on site are safe and accounted for and that at this time we are not aware of any injuries to others in the area," Meier said in a Sunday evening statement.Fuller noted that the initial 1-mile exclusion zone encompassed commercial businesses and residential homes, covering a significant portion of the small town. A temporary emergency shelter originally set up at Sam Case Elementary School was moved farther north to the Atonement Lutheran Church as a precaution.Local resident Shelly Heim was at home when she heard emergency sirens and spotted smoke billowing from the nearby seafood plant, with flames shooting through the roof. Pacific Seafood operates as a major wholesale supplier and manufacturer, managing fishing operations, processing, and nationwide distribution (Oregon State Fire Marshal)Although she and her husband did not detect any chemical odor or evacuate, they continued to monitor wind directions to ensure smoke was not pushed toward their home."It’s heartbreaking," the 59-year-old real estate agent said, noting that Newport relies on its active fishing community and that Pacific Seafood serves as a primary local employer. "It’s a big asset. Hopefully they can rebuild."