OPERATORS of the chemical plant at Mossmorran declined to attend a public meeting to answer the questions of concerned residents affected by recent flaring incidents.

More than 100 residents and local representatives affected by the flaring from the Fife Ethylene Plant, near Cowdenbeath, arrived at Lochgelly Town Hall last night (Wednesday) seeking answers from those responsible for the recent flaring causing noise and light pollution, and nearby homes to vibrate.

Instead, they were told by chair of the panel, John Drummond, that Shell and ExxonMobil, who run the site, declined to attend the meeting.

Both companies could now face being summoned to a Scottish Parliament committee after locals MSPs and residents expressed their desire for a petition to be launched amid concerns over the health and safety implications as a result of the flaring and the thick black smoke produced from the site last month.

On Monday, June 12, local people were awoken in the early hours of the morning after a 'process upset' caused an unexpected flaring at the plant.

Flaring, noise and vibration persisted until the morning of Saturday, June 24.

Thick black smoke, containing harmful chemicals, was emitted from the site on Sunday, June 18 after a separate incident by Shell disrupted operations, causing widespread concern in the nearby communities.

The public meeting, which ran for two hours, was organised by the Mossmorran Action Group, and those in attendance heard that environment watchdog, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), are set to conduct a 'full investigation' into the recent events, which could then lead to a civil fine or legal action.

The panel comprised James Glen, co-founder of the action group, Rob Morris from SEPA, Kevin Bisset, who works in environmental health at Fife Council and Councillor Alistair Bain from Braefoot Bay & Mossmorran Safety Community Liaison Committee.

MSPs Mark Ruskell, Alexander Stewart and David Torrance supported the idea of summoning the operators of the site to a Holyrood committee in the form of a petition.

James Glen backed the move and said: "We will push for a petition to get the plant operators in the dock at Holyrood.

"We have had over 25 years of issues. Two hours tonight isn't enough to sum up the issues people have faced. We need to push for better engagement and there needs to be ongoing consultation."

Questions were taken from the floor with Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Annabelle Ewing asking how long the investigation would take into the events at the plant.

In response, Rob Morris, SEPA, said: "How long is a piece of string? It doesn't take weeks, it takes months.

"We're undertaking a full investigation which could lead to findings that may lead to enforcement action. We have set-up an independent small team who specialise in gathering evidence and information. 

"We need to understand what the impact has been on you as residents, and the impacts you are facing in your homes and back gardens wherever you live."

Mr Morris told the meeting that SEPA had received 30 complaints on their hotline in regards to the incident on June 12, and a further 50 complaints in relation to the thick black smoke emission.

Residents expressed that Shell and ExxonMobil's failure to attend 'speaks volumes', and that many endured sleepless night as a result of the flaring.

Cowdenbeath Conservative councillor Darren Watt, stated his displeasure that the two companies failed to show.

He said: "We may as well turn our chairs to each other and have the discussion instead.

"We don't get assurances from the people we expect it from. 

"You (companies dealing with the site) need to step up and man up, because this is not acceptable anymore."

Labour Cllr Mary Lockhart, for Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty, said: "The people have lost confidence in every agency involved."