Major gas leak incident at Ineos huge oil refinery plant in Grangemouth
Police in Central Scotland have evacuated a major oil refinery after a gas leak.
Emergency services, including a hazardous response unit, are at the Ineos petrochemical
plant in Grangemouth, near Falkirk, 20 miles west of Edinburgh.
The company confirmed a gas leak in one of the plant's supply pipelines
Eight fire engines and around 40 fire fighters from Scotland's Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are at the scene.
People living nearby described hearing “air raid sirens” coming from the site shortly after midday. Members of the public were advised to stay inside, with the plant evacuated and local roads closed to all traffic, the Public are being advised to stay indoors.
Nearby schools were also locked down, with teachers told to shut all windows and stop kids leaving their buildings. Schools in the area have sent text alerts to concerned parents.
A spokesman for SFRS said: “At 12.12pm on Tuesday, May 2 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of a major gas leak at the Grangemouth petrochemical site.
“Eight appliances are currently in attendance to assist emergency service partners.”
Ineos said in a statement: "At noon we detected a leak on a pipeline inside our
KG (Kinneil Gas) manufacturing plant at Ineos Grangemouth.
"Emergency services are in attendance and we requested that Police Scotland close the Wholeflats Road as a precautionary measure.
"The incident management team have been mobilised to manage the situation.
"All non-essential Ineos personnel who would normally be working in this area have
been requested to report to their line manager."
The incident is being investigated