THE PARTIAL collapse of a structure was behind the operational incident and huge flares, visible on the Isle of Wight from the ExxonMobil Fawley refinery, the GMB union has claimed.

Large flares lit up the skies on Tuesday evening, when a structure used to produce petrol partially collapsed, according to the union.

Residents from as far afield as Gunville said the flare glow resembled "a large sunset."

It prompted calls to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue.

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Isle of Wight County Press:

The GMB, which represents workers at the Fawley Oil Refinery, said the oil firm was forced to isolate a unit after an incident in the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU), used to convert crude oil into lighter petroleum products like liquified petroleum gas and gasoline.

In a statement, Bryan Hulley, Regional Organiser of GMB, said: "The workings of an oil refinery are very complex.

"However, as I understand it, this incident occurred on the Catalytic Cracking Unit, which is widely known by workers at the site to be integral to the production of petrol.

"Our members, who are due to take strike action, are pipe fitters, boilermakers, welders, mechanical fitters, laggers and scaffolders and so it is their job to repair this type of equipment."

Isle of Wight County Press:

ExxonMobil rejected claims production has been impacted.

A spokesperson for the oil firm said: "We identified an issue on one of our units at around 4.40pm on Tuesday.

"Our own onsite teams safely and effectively addressed the matter, isolating the unit from operation.

"There were no injuries and there was no fire. 

"We will now work to assess the steps required to bring the unit back into operation."