Harsh chemical odor in Skagit County coming from Shell refinery, sheriff's office says

ANACORTES, Wash. -- The Skagit County Sheriff's Office said Friday the Shell Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes is the source of the harsh chemical smell that the public has complained about in the area.

The sheriff's office said the refinery has a flare that is out of service for maintenance, and that is causing the odor. The flare is now capped, the sheriff's office said, but the odor is lingering.

No injuries have been reported.

The sheriff's office said the refinery is taking air samples and says there is no danger to the public.

The refinery has not returned calls about the situation.