The operators of a Fife petrochemical plant have again apologised to local communities after it emerged that elevated flaring is expected to continue until Friday at least.
The Fife Ethylene Plant at Mossmorran, near Cowdenbeath, continues to cause concern among some locals, after a loud disturbance there woke hundreds of people in the early hours of Saturday.
Residents in nearby Kelty and Cowdenbeath have described the noise created by the plant in recent days as “frightening,” “like a Bunsen burner with the volume turned up” or like a steamroller passing by.
The plant was shut down and flaring which burns off unused gases started, with staff involved in trying to restart the plant since the incident.
However, a spokesman for ExxonMobil Chemical said the startup had been delayed as more checks need to be carried out, meaning the plant is unlikely to return to normal until Friday morning at the earliest.
“The management at the Fife Ethylene Plant would again like to apologise to the local community for the continued elevated flaring,” the spokesman said. “The initial noise and the ongoing elevated flaring are a result of a steam system upset on one of our compressors early on Saturday, June 11. At no time was there any danger to the workforce or the local community.
“SEPA, local neighbours and officials have been kept informed of the situation over the course of the week. The cause of the process upset is being investigated and the investigation report will be shared with the relevant authorities. We are currently anticipating a return to normal operations by early on Friday, June 17.”