Fiery flares are burning above Fawley oil refinery in Hampshire this morning (Wednesday), as units which collapsed earlier this month, causing dramatic scenes across the Solent, are brought back online.

Early in November, the sky was lit up by flames from the site at the mouth of Southampton Water, prompting worried Facebook posts and calls to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue.

The flickering and orange sky could be see as far inland as Gunville.

The GMB Union later revealed a partial collapse of a structure had been behind what the site's operator, ExxonMobil Fawley, had called an 'operational incident.'

Seen on November 30, from the Isle of Wight and shared with the Isle of Wight County Press.

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Seen from East Cowes, on November 8, 2022

As a safety measure, emergency flaring was used to control supplies to the site.

Today, the structures are being brought back into use - ExxonMobil had warned more flaring would be spotted.

On Twitter yesterday (Tuesday) ExxonMobil Fawley said: "We wanted to let you know that we will be re-starting units we recently took offline.

"This process requires the use our flares, which may be visible from surrounding areas.

"We are working hard to minimise any disturbance. Thank you for your understanding."

Isle of Wight County Press:

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