Scrapyard blaze puts Forth sunshine in the shade

AN INVESTIGATION is being carried out into a major fire at a scrap metal yard in Fife which caused a huge plume of smoke to drift across the Firth of Forth.

Some 60 firefighters who were called out shortly before 5:30am took seven hours to bring the fire under control at Robertson Metals in Inverkeithing.

Health agencies have been testing smoke particles for toxins but said the risk to the public was low.

No-one was injured but people as far away as South Queensferry on the opposite side of the Forth were advised to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution.

Health officials were assessing the fire's impact on the environment, and scientists monitored the smoke plume's composition and direction of travel.

Some surface water from the site had run off into Inverkeithing Bay but no evidence was found to show contamination with oil or other substances.

Early samples of the air surrounding the area show low levels of airborne pollutants, according to officials.

Last night, a spokesman for Edinburgh airport said no flights had been delayed or cancelled due to the smoke cloud.