Scotland’s environment watchdog is investigating “potential criminality” following the devastating fire at a Fife waste centre which sparked a major emergency response.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has started its probe just weeks after the blaze which caused an estimated £1million of damage at the Ladybank recycling centre.

Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, confirmed the investigation in a letter to Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife.

And the Minister said: “I understand the desire for as much information as possible to be made public as quickly as possible but I should highlight that the ongoing investigations potentially involve criminality and may result in enforcement action.”

Willie Rennie MSP has put over a dozen questions to the Scottish Government (Pic: @DvdHmlt/PA Wire)

placeholder image — Willie Rennie MSP has put over a dozen questions to the Scottish Government (Pic: @DvdHmlt/PA Wire)

The fire on May 14 involved recycled material and waste spread across an area measuring approximately 200m by 300m. At the height of the incident, Scottish Fire And Rescue Service (SFRS) had 12 appliances, 60 firefighters, and specialist resources at the scene. Damage was put at over £1million. The site was returned to operators, Cireco, after 13 days.

Last week Mr Rennie put over a dozen questions to Kirsten Oswald MSP, the new Community Safety Minister, about the Lower Melville Wood fire and how the incident was handled. He also wants a public meeting.

Mr Rennie’s key questions included why was the fire able to spread across the compartments to the neighbouring waste when those compartments were designed to stop spread, did other fires on the site in recent months trigger an upgrade to fire prevention measures - and why was much waste stored on the site?

In an update, the Lib Dem politician said: “I know that people who have been badly affected by the fire want answers to their questions and to have their voices heard when it comes to discussing the future of the site. I will continue to do my best to make sure that happens.”

Robin Baird, chief executive of Cireco said: “We continue to work closely with SEPA and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support their respective investigations. All relevant information is currently being collated and will be submitted to both organisations to assist with their ongoing enquiries into the cause of the fire and its environmental impact.”

In his letter, Mr Gray said it would be “inappropriate” for details or findings of the investigations to be made public until the investigations have been completed along with consideration of any enforcement action.