A spillage of chemicals sparked an alert in a Kirkcaldy street yesterday.
Four fire appliances and a chemical team from Methil were called to Dunnikier Road at around 4.30pm after what is understood to be polyester resin was discovered leaking from a wheelie bin.
The Courier understands gallons of the substance came from Production Glassfibre in Glenrothes earlier this week. Two people were detained by police in connection with the incident.
A section of the road was cordoned off while crews worked to contain the liquid, which was oozing towards a drain. Firefighters used a drain mat to prevent the liquid flowing into the gutter.
They covered the liquid in a bright green absorbent powder to contain the spillage.
A police spokesman said: “Two people have been detained following an incident in Kirkcaldy.”
According to a source, the resin was delivered to an address in the street during the early hours of Wednesday and some spilled. Police officers were seen searching the property during the evening.
Raza Rehnan, who rents out the property and was called to the scene, said: “I think they spilled a couple of gallons of it.
“It’s quite toxic, especially if it gets on your skin.”
A resident who was watching said: “Four fire engines, police and the road closed off? Is that unbelievable or what?
“Look at all those firemen sitting about, doing nothing. All this, for a wheelie bin?
“I must be some kind of toxic material.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency were contacted and Scottish Water later arrived to check how much of the substance had contaminated the drain.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said a specialist contractor had been sent to the scene to dispose of the substance.
Polyester resin is a viscous liquid used in the manufacture of fibreglass. It is said to be flammable, harmful by inhalation and irritating to the eyes and skin and can be harmful if it gets into watercourses.