The future of a popular community bonfire has gone up in smoke following a callous theft.
Cardenden bonfire and fireworks display, already in jeopardy due to a lack of funds, will almost certainly not go ahead next year after thieves stole the lights used to illuminate the event.
The £7,000 tower lights were taken from Wallsgreen Park the morning after the fireworks on Friday November 1.
The mobile system had been loaned to the organising committee from a local company.
While the event was insured, the policy did not cover the loss of equipment so the cost will have to be met by the committee.
Chairman Alex Burns said this meant there would be no money left to organise next year’s event, which is always one of the largest in Fife.
Cardenden bonfire has been running for 26 years with Mr Burns at the helm and he said he was sad to think it might never happen again.
The committee is made up of volunteers, with financial support from a number of sources, including Fife Council, Ore Valley Housing Association and the Bowhill Centre.
“We were really struggling financially this year but this has just crowned it all,” said Mr Burns. “I would say that’s the end of the community bonfire.
“It attracts 5,000 people every year, including this year and it’s always a big success but we’re just a bunch of volunteers and we don’t have any money.”
Mr Burns said police were investigating the theft but added that given the size of the lights, which are on wheels, somebody must have seen something.
“Someone must have seen it being taken away,” he said.
Cardenden Community Council is offering a small reward to anyone with information which leads to the lights’ recovery.
A police spokesman said the light had a white casing, was mounted on a trailer and had a telescopic pole with four battery-powered lamps.
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.