For decades, the blast furnaces in Belval used to represent wealth, affluence, and job security. Today, they remind people of past glories and the changing of times.
The blast furnaces in Belval were set up in 1911 and the first installation was lit on 30 October that year. The site counted six furnaces at its peak, but went down to three towards the end. Although it was initially planned to renovate furnaces B and C, this undertaking was never completed.
On 31 July 1997, almost 25 years to this day, the last fire inside furnace B was blown out, a bitter day for workers at the site. 750 people were concerned by the decision to shut the installation.
At 6.30pm on Thursday 28 August 1997, furnace B was used to process a final amount of resources and then shut for good.
