News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Dramatic pictures show huge flares at a chemical plant in Scotland during a restart which sparked alarm.

The "unacceptable" flaring is underway at the ExxonMobil Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran.

Dramatic pictures show huge flames billowing from the plant.

Flaring is carried out to remove dangerous gasses.

Local councillor Darren Watt posted on Twitter: "I passed #Mossmorran main gate 30 mins ago & the flaring was the most intense I've ever seen.

"Although we've been assured by @exxonmobil_fep& @ScottishEPA that the restart is progressing well & as safely as possible, I'm sure we all want this to end at the earliest opportunity."

The flares can be seen in Edinburgh.

One man posted on Twitter: "So uh... we can see Mossmorran from Edinburgh. This is definitely fine."

Another described the light pollution from the work as "savage".

Campaigner Caroline Rance wrote: "Flaring from Mossmorran petrochemical plant can be seen for miles around. Just imagine what it's like to live nearby - the noise, light & air pollution."

In a statement the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: "SEPA is aware of fluctuations in the elevated flare at Mossmorran as part of the final stage of the facility restart and specialist officers continue to monitor.

"We're working hard to address the root-causes of 'unacceptable flaring' making flaring an exception rather than routine."

The plant had been shut so that two boilers could be fixed.

Initially this was scheduled for November, but was put back to the New Year amid concerns about flaring.

SEPA wrote: "In an update issued by the company, the business stated that work had begun to re-start distillation towers, a ‘final stage’ of the process.

"The company advised that the elevated flare would fluctuate in size as each tower comes online and starts processing gas.

"Specialist officers from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are continuing daily regulatory updates with the operator and are clear that all steps must continue to be taken to minimise impacts on communities."