The Bergen op Zoom control room receives many reports about possible fires. Anyone in Bergen op Zoom looking in the direction of Antwerp can see flames and an orange glow. The Central and West Brabant Safety Region has announced that ‘flaring’ is taking place at a company in Antwerp.
The flaring is done at BASF in Antwerp, they make chemical raw materials. “A number of processes have been shut down for safety reasons, which is why BASF is forced to flare.”
The glow is visible as far away as Bergen op Zoom, causing the control room to receive several notifications. “The situation is known to the control room, no further report needs to be made.”
Nuisance
Flaring does not pose a danger to the environment, but according to the Safety Region it does cause nuisance.
Flaring is a safe way to discharge flammable gases. If there is a fault in the factory, such gases must be removed safely. Due to combustion, the gas is no longer dangerous.