Emergency services are in attendance in Dunfermline after "potentially hazardous materials" were uncovered at an army base.

A bomb disposal unit attended the 154 Scottish Regiment building on Elgin Street just after 3pm yesterday (Thursday) with the road closed off for safety reasons.

Neighbouring firm, MKM Building Supplies, said they were told to evacuate their premises and close the business for the day.

One member of staff told the Press they believed the incident to be the discovery of "white phosphate bombs".

According to the World Health Organization, white phosphorus is used for military purposes in grenades and artillery shells.

The business is open as normal today but emergency services, including fire crews and the police, are still on the scene.

Read more: Dunfermline army base incident: MKM staff tell of evacuation

The army confirmed that 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment, 521 Squadron Edinburgh Troop, were sent to Elgin Street to deal with the issue. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a number of potentially hazardous materials found in containers within a property at Elgin Street in Dunfermline shortly after 3pm on Thursday, 16 November.

“The items are historic and emergency services attended to ensure the items were secure. They have been in place and will be safely removed today (Friday).

“The road was initially closed as a precaution but has since reopened.”

This comes after planning permission to demolish Bruce House and to erect a new centre and office on Elgin Street was approved last year.

As previously reported in The Press, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in August to mark the start of work on the new Army Reserve Centre.