Bright flames rise off Dow chemical plant

Big flames were seen at the Dow chemical plant in Terneuzen on Sunday evening. 

The flames and the glow that was reflected by the clouds could be seen for miles around, even across the border in Belgium. A roaring sound could also be heard in the vicinity.

According to the Safety Region Zeeland, the Dow fire brigade had the situation under control and there was no danger to the environment. The flaring lasted late into the night.

Dow reports that this was the result of a failure in the factory Ethylene 1. Unused raw ground materials had to be discharged from a distillation column. According to the company, this was done through a dedicated pipe.

https://twitter.com/bert113/status/541632349734465536

De vlam bij Dow #Terneuzen gezien vanaf Oranjedijk #Vlissingen pic.twitter.com/3VhRZDjs2T

— Stefan Daane (@stefandaane) December 7, 2014