Shell incident due to equipment malfunction

An equipment malfunction at the Shell Chemical Company in Martinez resulted in a brief flaring incident Wednesday night, according to county and Shell officials.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District reported on social media at 8:04 p.m. that flaring had been observed at the Shell facility on Mococo Road.

Shell spokeswoman Erin Hallissy said the issue was resolved within 20 minutes but she declined to comment on which units at the facility were involved.

Because the unexpected incident was visible from offsite, Shell officials issued a Level 1 alert, according to Contra Costa County hazardous materials specialist Seth Heller.

Heller said ground level and fence-line meters at the site did not detect any emissions and were operating as they should shortly afterward.

No injuries or medical calls were reported as a result of the incident.