SEPA have launched in investigation after a huge orange light took over the Edinburgh and Fife skyline last night, which left some locals wondering if 'Leith was on fire.'
A faulty part at ExxonMobil Chemical in Fife had caused elevated levels of flaring with one Edinburgh resident saying it was "like a volcano."
Pictures of the orange glare caused by ‘a trip on one of the machines' at the Ethylene Plant sparked fears that somewhere in Edinburgh had been set ablaze.
One local hit out at the flaring saying: "It’s an environmental assault and I sincerely hope that #sepa takes action this time."
Another added:"Like a volcano on the doorstep!! Edinburgh should be worried - not only Fife. Experts warned of this from planning stage."
One person in Edinburgh even claimed they could 'smell it', penning: "Not only can I see the flames from #mossmorran I can smell it too.
"And I am in Willowbrae, Edinburgh. Can’t imagine what it’s like having to live beside it and put up with this all the time."
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.
"That’s why we have referred ExxonMobil Chemical Limited to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) for consideration of prosecution related to the Easter 2019 flaring event and why we have required the installation of noise reducing flare tips by 8 May 2021 followed by the installation of ground flares.
"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. "
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ExxonMobil said: "Our engineers are progressing with the replacement of a faulty part in our compressor, and will then move to safely re-start it this evening and into tomorrow.
"We will continue working to minimise elevated flaring wherever possible and will advise when back to normal production."
