Mossmorran: Environmental officers probe chemical plant flaring

A previous flaring incident at Mosmorran illuminates the night sky

Environmental protection officers have launched an investigation into unplanned flaring at a chemical plant in Fife.

ExxonMobil, the operators of the plant at Mossmorran, blamed a "process interruption" for the elevated flare.

They apologised and said they would try to reduce disruption to people who live nearby.

The flaring is a safety measure at the plant but local people say it causes noise and light disturbance.

One resident contacted BBC Scotland and claimed her house had been "rumbling" since 03:30 on Sunday.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said it is working to establish the cause of the flaring.

'Happening too often'

Chris Dailly, Sepa's head of environmental performance, said: "Whilst limited, controlled flaring is an authorised and important safety feature of industrial sites, we know it has been happening too often at Mossmorran and the community impacts are often significant.

"Whilst we don't know yet from the company the cause of the latest flaring or expected duration, we will provide further updates as soon as further information becomes available."

The agency has fixed air quality and noise monitoring points across the area and has deployed officers to record community impacts at five surrounding locations.

Sepa added its monitors "continue to demonstrate no breach of air quality standards" and said its focus now will be determine if there has been a breach of permit conditions.

In May Sepa confirmed it was seeking a prosecution following six days of flaring at the chemical works.