Largest Abandoned Factory We've Ever Explored! - Steel Mill Blast Furnace 

Hope everyone enjoyed this episode! This was a special one for us since this was a bucket list location of ours for so many years. Wouldn't be possible without all of you and we're so appreciative of that fact. Special thanks to Pierre M, an ex-employee of the steel mill who allowed us to use his footage of the blast furnace in action. You can see his blog about the steel industry in Liège here: haut-fourneau06.skyrock.com/ Also, who knows what "omelette du fromage" is from?

"Blast Furnace" is still the most kickass name for anything.

As an engineer, I can’t imagine how stressful this facility would have been to design/build/operate/maintain.

Cool video guys, though you’re very much re-introducing my fear of heights.

This needs to be a multiplayer map.

Unbelievable industrial abandonment. It doesn’t get much better than this. You guys filmed this excellently with the old footage - I think this is your best exploration documentary to date!

I always think about the workers that build that steel mill, they were the ones who had to work up in the air carrying a lot of building material with only scaffolds and shaky ladders and platforms to hang on to. Imagine the sweat or the cold days working that went into that place. They are the real heroes in my book. Good video

This would literally be the coolest Netflix TV show

It's weird to see that there's still train cars with coal in them on the spur line. Makes it look like they were expecting to do more work the next day but just stopped, even though they obviously decommissioned it.

I live at 10 minutes from this place, I have been seeing it for years, passing by, seeing it from the highway, knowing its existence, knowing people who worked there, even my dad worked there (for a short time) when he was young... Since I'm a child I hear and know about this place. And it has always been such a mysterious thing, and knowing it's dead but still up, rising and reigning all over the area is so intriguing. I had the chance to visit it 2 years ago... one of the most beaufitul things I have seen and experienced in my life. This place has so much history in this area, more than a century of life, being part of the industrial landscape of Seraing, of Liège, and we could say of Belgium. All the families linked to this place all over the decades : to HF6, to Chertal, well... to all Arcelor sites actually (and there are a lot ot them in Belgium or France). It is so settled in our landscape, cities, those big giant structures, impressive, even frightening at some point that we could not even think about working there, or just be inside of one of these giant structures. It had so much importance back in the days, this area is an industrial one, all along the Meuse river you can see industrial companies, old ones, new ones... It's being part of this land we live in. Well, being there was quite something, I got feelings I have found again thanks to you. The place is so big that a day wouldn't be enough to explore all of it. Thank you for the video, brings a lot of memories ! I was waiting for this one, thanks !

Just dropping an "F" for our brother Blast Furnace B. Anyway, what an incredible video. An incredible location. These jungles of steel are absolutely beautiful in their own unique way.

Bee's dominate many old lava tube entrances. I've seen multi-layered hives up to 10' in length. Nothing you want to mess with. Good to finally see explorers wearing respirators.

Time to kick back, relax, and watch some of The Proper People

The narrative was amazing Michael what a place to explore one of the best places you guys uploaded from your European road trip that blast furnace footage was killer thanks to you both including it and Pierre for letting you include in this awesome video

Deathly allergic to bees, braves a swarm and rusted catwalks alone. Absolute mad lad.

The respect and homage you pay to sites like this is commendable beyond words. The workers and even the government should give you an award for showcasing things like this; for posterity. You both do amazing work; these videos will likely be your strongest legacy.

That tree growing off the machinery was so cool!

Wow, big thanks to Pierre M. Incredible to see these facilities actually working, such a change from then and now.

The drone footage music is "Johannes Bornlof - Hunger, Thirst" for anyone wondering

17:16 how it felt to look down from the top of the playground in 1st grade

wow the last train that did bring the last shipment is still there. That is so rare something you never see.

7:25 what an absolutely breathtaking shot, well done.

I had the pleasure to visit this plant several times when it was still operating - also thanks to Pierre.

I still re-watch this video every +- 2 months, it's so good. The edits, the commentary and the sphere. It's just perfect. Amazing work guys. I also visited it myself after this video and it was a-ma-zing.

THE PROPER PEOPLE are the best, they deserve more subscribers.

im truly amazed with this video, it was one of the best vids ever ( i saw every vid that you guys have), thanks for making thi videos! well done

I come back to this video every so often just to hear the monolog at 17:50 - it always makes me smile. Moments like this are rare in life, and it's always amazing when someone allows you to share it with them in some way. Really happy that you guys got to achieve and experience this

“Omelette du fromage” 😂😂 That’s so sweet of you to make efforts to talk to the bees 🐝

I get the wilies when I have to walk on any raised platforms, roofs or anything when exploring abandoned places... can't imagine being that high up 😮

A titan forgotten in time. Looks like a good place to film a whole movie.

This brings back a lot of memories. I used to inspect blast furnaces with high temp cameras and Flir infrared.

The way you treat these places you visit like old friends you know won't be around forever... your dedication and appreciation are touching

I have been an urban explorer, caver and photographer for over 30 years because of the love of the old abandon history. With that I have enjoyed watching your videos vicariously, wishing I could be there. I thank you guys for preserving the history of these old beautiful places before they disappear for ever. Stay safe and keep it up.

The main reason these steel mills were shut down were two fold. One was cheaper steel from abroad, and the other, the shutdown of Nuclear Power stations that before had provided less costly electricity to power them.

Can I just say, thank you guys for wearing masks on the second day. Seeing you walk through all that dust the first day WITHOUT them was very concerning; don't want you guys to be too sick to share more of these incredible explorations, for which we are all so thankful!

Who designs these things….incredible and so beautiful!! You said it perfectly, like a sculpture! Thanks so much for sharing this adventure, my absolute favourite video thus far!

With most things in life, like this structure, you never really see, or care, how it all comes together. But with people like the proper people, showing up close in detail all from the tiny to the enormous in each of these structures, it really makes you think: "How was man able to construct this" throughout the entire facility there is so much chaos in each contraption, you wonder how any of this made sense to anyone.

Absolutely excellent video as per usual. I really enjoy your work and it is such important work to document these abandoned places of history.

27 minutes without blinking. Fantastic footage guys, and as always excellent editing and music. Maybe the best video I ever watched on RU-vid, got a highly spiritual vibe from this. And I thought it was unlikely to top the nuclear power plant footage (and sound!) but you certainly pulled it off again. I take off my hat for thee!

12:37 "One small step for man, one giant step for mankind"

You guys have really stepped it up with this Europe trip. Amazing footage.

Disappointing video. At no time did we find a chair, "just chllin". :) Awesome work guys. Soon this will be torn down, but you have a video showing what once was. Keep up the great work!

Man, I'm obsessed with this channel. No clickbait titles, cool places I've never seen before, it makes me want to explore abandonded places like this myself.

Did nobody catch the Dexter's Lab refrence? Love you guys! Stay Safe!

*_You are living the dream._* Thanks for sharing it with us.

WOW This is defenetly the best video i have ever seen on youtube. I live in Liège and i know a lot of people who have worked there. It was the heart of the city at the time and it is very sad to see it like that today. I take the train everyday to go to school and use the tunnel you guys show in the video. I have always wanted to visit the factory but it is so heavely garded and the area is so polluted that i have never done it. Unfortunately it is slowly decaying and will eventually be scraped. Thanks you so much for this awesome video!

To me this is one of the best episodes you’ve ever done.

5:07 that's the tapping and sealing gun used to drain the piggy iron. It injects a clay like mud to seal the hole once done.

Hands down your best video yet. The transition from the old video to the abandoned furnace shot was seamless. Keep up the good work.

Iron oxide : Rust really helps the growth maybe that's why it looks like it has been abandoned for more years. Nature is impressive

Machines that were the "Mechanism Of The Universe" They helped us build everything we needed.

Brings back memories for me. I worked in the Bethlehem Steel Plant in Bethlehem, PA for 31 years. I was in the rolling mills but did take a tour of the blast furnace when we were operational. Barry

Out of all of the videos you guys have posted, this one is almost certainly one of the best if not the very best.

Believe me or not, but the cargo ships shown in the video already passed RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I life in nothern France, on the side of the "Deûle" channel.

I was actually on the crew who demolished it, I saved a few nice pieces from it, if you'd like me to mail you one please let me know. Such a sad time to see such a cool place be demolished, all of us took a moment of silence after it came down

"The entrance is monitored by video surveillance" 😂 Guys, this is Belgium, 🇧🇪 there's not even a government here and even if there is video surveillance, nobody will be watching. 😁

Beautiful video you guys. I even got a bit emotional when you went into your story at sunset. I also loved that you put video material from when it was still up and running in here. I hope you can do that more often when possible. Again, lovely cinematic shots - as always. I'm glad you guys got to visit this site before they're tearing it down. I can't wait to see what you guys have in store for us in 2019 and the future! Happy New Year!

Your soundtrack is incredible. It adds so much to the ambience. Is there anywhere I can find the song used in the video that is also used during the end card?

It's hard to believe this might actually be some of the last footage ever filmed from that tower, if not actually the last.

This town was the site of the first battle of World War 1 when the Germans invaded. I couldn't help but think that this plant probably produced steel to support the German war effort as Belgium was occupied for 4 years during WW2. There seems to be so much history involved other than the plant itself, which I enjoyed your tour of. Good job.

"Cathedrals of steel" I love it!

I’m so happy to be part of this at some point, hear you saying that you were living a dream, it’s a pleasure. Keep it up guys, there’s still a lot to see and film. Thank you for such a great video.

The amount of production along with time and skill that goes into these videos makes them seem like they’re a licensed television program

This is probably one of, if not your best videos yet. Showing the furnace operational was a great addition to the video, and the music really helped set a good mood. No fake drama, no BS, just the beauty of an abandoned space and its history.

Amazing explore guys. I've been following you for a few years now and have to say that you are very much a cut above the rest when it comes to locations, camera work, editing, sound narration & historical input. Keep up the great work and looking forward to seeing more great explores from your trip!!

I knew this was Belgium immediately from the thumbnail. This factory complex has fascinated me for a long time but I haven't visited it yet.

You started getting nervous climbing to the top. Now think about this....someone had to bolt it all together!!

I remember seeing this place from my seat at the nearby football stadium as it made big orange/brown clowds.

I've been there like 5 times and every time I discover new corners, buildings, unexpected things ... It will be demolished soon, they already started working on the main entrance.

Absolutely amazing documentary of HFB, really wish i could like this a thousend times. Also at 18:39 i felt exectly the same when i was there a week ago.

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It's the sheer scale of the site and operation. It blows my mind, it really makes me think seeing all this. Fantastic documentary footage of this place before it's gone.

What an extraordinary document you have made. The last few minute nearly moved me to tears. You should be proud!

Who would dislike something like this?

I always think of the stories that must have happened and got forgotten in all those abandoned places.

This video moved me to tears. Absolutely beautiful.

This was an amazing video. From the small videos you inserted to show the different process occurring with the equipment you were touring, the incredible drone shots and that scary climb to the top of the furnace. One of the best Proper People videos you’ve ever produced! You guys rock. Thanks for doing what you keep doing!

Living within the rust belt area with so many abandoned steel factories and other mills. I’ve always wondered what the blast furnaces had looked like. Finally seeing one with my own eyes through this video was amazing. Well done you guys really deserve more subscribers.

I haven’t seen these guys in a while. Glad to see a new video. 😂 “Omelette du fromage!” I’m sensing a Dexters Lab reference.

I am from Belgium and I explored this place multiple times. So happy to re-experience it in this video!

this is by far my favorite video on youtube, and it will forever be.

An other awesome exploration at this blast furnace, great views and enhanced with some of the original operating footage. Thanks for sharing. Great choice of music too. Keep those video's coming.

That place is beautiful. I really enjoyed your testimony toward the end of your first day. Keep up the good work.

Beautiful. Everything about this episode is truly beautiful! Thank you

I’ve been a fan for many years now guys , but I always come back to this video. It’s just brilliant ♥️

13:00 Imagine going in there with a leaf blower...that would look incredible and probably kill you

You guys should try the game called "Infra" it's on steam, it's basically an Urbex game with some puzzles and stuff, it's pretty fun. I think you guys would like it

This was the most incredible abandoned exploration I have ever watched, wow I didn't want it to end. Thanks, you guys rock!!

I was working in Liege back in 1993 and got to see that steel mill in operation. It is fantastic to tour an operational steel mill.

No way ! I live near this place and I know someone who worked there. He could've explained everything about this factory to you. Love your videos by the way ! ;-)

Damn.. working there must felt like working in hell some times..

This is so amazing to see. I love seeing abandoned stuff like this.

I just want to tell you guys that you are by far the best on the internet exploring and want to thank you for doing your homework on the places you explore instead of just walking through these places and guessing what things are and how they work. I worked in a few of the steel mills in the United States and appreciate the history behind these and the generation of workers that built and maintained them. There are 4 generations in my family alone and its always a somber feeling when I see them passing by or on videos such as yours. These factory's produced great people, great neighborhoods and livelihoods for families for years. Again thank you!! From the first video you guys have done till the most recent ones, you have both come a long way in exploring and presentation. Keep up the good work. I just watched one of your videos that you explored a hospital right near me here in Daytona Beach. Actually its located in Ormond Beach, FL. Keep up the awesome work!!!!

Watching you do these expeditions makes me hope you've both had training in emergency trauma techniques. If ANY of those steps gave way you'd instantly be in a life or death situation. It's obvious that since you've posted this video, you've returned safely :) You've shown good judgement when things looked "sketchy" before, I just felt the need to voice a bit of concern. Long live the Proper People and stay safe :)

It probably took as much steel to build that place as it ever produced!...Incredible! Excellent video guys! The best yet!

I've been watching your videos on and off from the beginning. My nine year old daughter was looking over my shoulder last week and wanted to see more so we have watched everything in chronological order. The quality and professionalism has steadily increased and this it one of your very best. Now my girl wants nothing more then to start her own channel and your comments and appreciation in this video are a lesson to aspiring RU-vidrs. Thank you for all the great content, looking forward to many more.

This place is amazing and what a sunset. So glad you two were able to do this, and to hear the enjoyment you got out of it.

You guys are the best of the URBEX documentary film makers and every frame a gem of history and memory of a world slowly disappearing in time and bygone eras. Great video of an awesome place and the history behind it.

Helmets, guys! ;)

Consistently blown away by how good your videos are. I lack words....

Just going through your back catalogue of explores and this one blew me away. Late to the party I know but wow, awesome, the editing the music the old footage of the working blast furnace you guys really know how to nail it. Love your work, all I can say is keep it coming, I love your appreciation of these places whether it be an old factory, power plant or public building, it’s just a shame they get so trashed, but at least you give us a chance to see these amazing places before they vanish forever. Respect from the UK