Shell Shuts Down Europe’s Largest Refinery After Major Fire

Royal Dutch Shell plc said that it has shut down Europe’s largest refinery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands after a fire at a high-voltage electricity switch station.

The fire that broke out at Shell Pernis has been extinguished. Pernis is the largest refinery in Europe with about sixty factories. Part of the refinery remains shut down because the electricity is cut. The fire was caused by short-circuiting in a high voltage station, the company said.

According to a security spokesman, the flames cover a wide area. This is due to the fact that the company flares out gases released by the refining of oil as part of the safety procedure.

There is no indication that harmful substances have been released. However, soot particles are being emitted into the air, it added.

It is not yet known when the entire refinery can be put back into operation.