THICK SMOKE can be seen billowing from Fawley refinery on what has been dubbed the hottest day of the year.

Clouds of smoke can be spotted emanating from one of the Fawley chimneys this afternoon.

With an extreme heat warning in place, some Hampshire residents have voiced their concerns.

Warren Bevis, took a photo from his bedroom in Swanwick of "the smoke-filled skyline".

The 43-year-old IT worker said: "There is always a fair bit [of smoke] but today there is absolute filth billowing from Fawley spreading across the region.

Daily Echo: Smoke billowing from Fawley refinery.Smoke billowing from Fawley refinery.

"Why is nobody announcing what it is? To the public, putting us at risk.

"I have never seen it like that before.

"Is there something going wrong.

"It would be nice for them to tell us what it was instead of living in fear of what it could be.

"It looks particularly unusual."

Meanwhile, a Daily Echo camera club member took a snap of black smoke rising above Southampton water.

She commented: "Esso Flare. Disgraceful especially on a day like today."

The Hampshire skies are often lit lit up by an orange glare.

However, the bursts of fire and colour are due to 'flaring' from Fawley Refinery.

The flare acts as a safety valve for the plant. During normal operations, crude oil is refined to produce a variety of products.

The Daily Echo has contacted Esso for comment.

More to follow...