THESE are the dramatic pictures of what appeared to be smoke and flames coming from a Hampshire refinery.

Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from Fawley refinery and could be seen from miles away.

However a spokesperson at the refinery has confirmed to the Daily Echo that what appeared to be flames and smoke was being caused by the refinery’s built-in safety system and was in fact ‘flaring’ which involves burning off gas.

Flaring has happened on previous occasions back in January 2013, Hampshire fire and rescue service were inundated with calls from worried residents who feared the refinery was on fire.

In a statement, a spokesman for the refinery, said: "Yesterday evening there was an operational issue at the Fawley site which resulted in flaring.

"Flaring is a safe, controlled and environmentally approved way of burning off excess gas which would normally be recycled and used in our operating processes.

"Flaring has now stopped and operations are normal.

"We apologise for any concern that the flaring may have caused to the local community."