A “complete shutdown” of a Fife chemical plant was under way on Friday following a small gas leak.
The incident happened around 3pm at Mossmorran by Cowdenbeath and emergency flaring will take place over the next 48-72 hours to allow the ageing plant to restart safely.
SEPA said it will continue to liaise with ExxonMobil to ensure that this activity is carried out in a way that minimises the impact on the local community.
ExxonMobil said flaring is an essential part of the plant’s safety systems and there is “no danger to the communities or employees”.
A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “We are aware of flaring at Mossmorran over the next 48-72 hours.
“It will be very visible from many areas – however there is no danger.”
In June, emergency flaring – the plant’s safety valve – lasted for nine days, which ExxonMobil said was due to pump failure.
At the time, Councillor Mary Lockhart said she had heard three reports of bed wetting among local children as a result of the unplanned flaring.
