Mossmorran operators say "significant outage" causing flaring

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Author: Hope WebbPublished 13th Aug 2019

Exxon Mobil, the operator of Fife's Mossmorran chemical plant, says a "significant outage" is causing major flaring there.

Residents have complained on social media of bright flashes, disruptive action and loud noises from the site near Cowdenbeath.

Now the company has said it doesn't know when that flaring will end.

James Glen from the Mossmorran Action Group says: "The first I became of aware of it was seeing the flaring from a distance as I made my way home. Then our Facebook page lit up with residents sharing photos and videos and complaints of health impacts like stinging eyes, headaches. They could also smell chemical smells.

"We're getting quite used to Exxon Mobil having a lot of unplanned emergencies, they seem to be increasing in frequency despite their denials. Each event seems to be more serious than the last so it is a concern that the plant is not fit for purpose."