Fife drug users are putting lives at risk by using a highly combustible way to getting oil out of cannabis.
It is said the volatile method gives users with a highly potent substance, but at a grave risk to everyone.
While the practice is relatively rare across Scotland, there have been two incidents in Fife in recent months.
The results could be devastating, if drug users are carrying out the dodgy deed in enclosed spaces.
People have been burnt as they try to extract oil from the leaves of the drugs using butane liquid, often used as a lighter fluid.
A wide variety of solvents can be used in the practice, most of them flammable which makes the extraction process very dangerous and across the globe several explosions or fires have been reported.
Councillor Bob Young said: “My concern is anyone trying to extract oil could burn the building down and people could lose their lives.
“If this happens in a block of flats the building could burn down. There could be a catastrophe. It is a real worry.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Dunfermline station manager Mark Bryce said: “We have had a few incidents in the last few months and this seems to be a new thing.
“They use liquid butane to draw oil out of cannabis plants. If it is in an enclosed space then it could ignite.”
On one call-out, the Dunfermline crew had to help four people with burns to their faces.
Revealing the service had sought advice from police, Mr Bryce added: “People are not aware of the danger they are putting themselves and everyone around them in.”
Mr Young hoped this was not going to escalate into becoming a usual custom.
“Where did this come from? Obviously now it is out there, it could become common practice. And if it does it is guaranteed someone will lose their lives.”
City of Dunfermline area chairwoman Helen Law added: “This is highly dangerous. People not be aware they are putting themselves in danger. And not just themselves but their neighbours as well.”
A spokeswoman added: “SFRS attends a large number of fires caused by alcohol and drugs.
“We recently attended two incidents in the area involving drug paraphernalia that had the potential to cause significant damage to properties.
“One of the key things we can do as a service is to ensure there are working smoke alarms in the property.
“We fit these free of charge and provide residents with potentially life-saving fire safety advice.”
