Newport Bayfront Industrial Fire Update

The fire at Pacific Seafood’s Newport facility on the Bayfront remains active as crews continue to work to contain it. Newport city officials reported that the first call came in at 8:51 a.m., and firefighters from across the region joined local emergency responders.

Officials said no civilian injuries have been reported. One firefighter was taken to a hospital for evaluation. About 30 to 40 people were inside the facility when the fire began; officials said they evacuated safely.

The fire affected a freezer facility used to store seafood. Officials said the tanks at the site were intact and the product inside was stable. They also said the fire had not spread beyond the main building into the company’s plant operations.

Fire crews faced difficult access because of the building’s size and a partial structural collapse. Officials said some fire remained in areas that crews could not yet safely reach. They expected the response to take hours rather than days, but cautioned that they could not provide a firm timeline.

Evacuation zones were reduced to a few blocks around the building, with smoke remaining the primary concern. Officials had not announced when nearby closed areas would reopen, saying crews first needed to complete their work and investigators would need access to the site. An evacuation point has been set up at Atonement Lutheran Church on highway 101 in Newport next to the PUD. Pets are welcome.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized several resources to help first responders, including a hazmat team. The agency is mobilizing a task force with a ladder truck and four engines to provide relief to local firefighters. The task force from Marion County will arrive this evening to relieve crews battling the fire. A strike team from Lane County with five engines will arrive tomorrow morning.

The main building at Pacific Seafoods is a little over 11,000 square feet and has reportedly been operating since 1946. Officials said it was too early to estimate damage or the economic impact on the community. A full investigation is planned once the fire is out and the site is safe.