GRANGEMOUTH oil refinery in Scotland was put into “lockdown” yesterday in response to a serious gas leak. 

Fire, police and ambulance crews were rushed to the site in response to reports of a butane gas leak shortly after 10am yesterday.

Part of the site was evacuated after the alarm was sounded, nearby roads were closed and schools were told to keep children indoors. 

Unite said the severity of the incident showed owners Ineos cannot cut corners on safety. 

Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: “It is no secret to the company that we are seriously concerned that the number of safety specialists on the site has been cut to level that we regard as unacceptable and so I stress again to Ineos, work with us to rectify this situation.”

The emergency response was stood down yesterday and there were no injuries as a result of the incident.