Fire At Martinez Shell Refinery: Hazmat Health Advisory Issued

MARTINEZ, CA — A small fire in a compressor at Shell's Martinez refinery was quickly extinguished early this morning, but people nearby with respiratory sensitivities might be affected by escaping gases, a county spokesman said. "Nothing is getting offsite at this time," but the county sent out a public health advisory to people in Martinez and Pacheco as a precaution, said Randy Sawyer, a spokesman for the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Team.

Most people will not be affected, but eye, skin, nose or throat irritation may be possible for some people in the affected area, according to the advisory. People who do get irritated should go inside and rinse any affected part of their body with water, according to the advisory.

The hazmat team responded around 3:30 a.m. Friday to a fire in a compressor, Sawyer said. The team shut down the compressor, which causes a buildup of gases. Normally, those gases are burned off, but when crews tried to do so, a pilot light didn't light, Sawyer said.

"When that happens you could have strong odors," the spokesman said. "Fortunately, we did not pick up any odors."

Ray Fisher, a Shell spokesman, said, "Due to unit upset, there is a potential for odors to reach the refinery boundary. Community monitoring is continuing while refinery units are stabilized."

Fisher said no employees or contractors were injured.

By Bay City News Service

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