This was the moment the iconic chimneys at the former Tullis Russell paper mill in Glenrothes were demolished.
The two structures were blown up on Thursday morning.
Some locals reported hearing a large bang and their houses shaking as the explosives took effect.
The work took place to make space for a new housing and business development being built on the site.
The chimneys were a prominent part of the town’s skyline, with one 133 years old and the other 52 years old.
They were a well-known feature of the paper mill, which shut in April 2015.
The demolition was watched by residents and former employees of the mill, which operated for more than 200 years.
Jack McDowell, who worked at the mill for 22 years, said: “It’s definitely sad to see them go.
“But it’s good as well. Having a derelict factory on the edge of Glenrothes was attracting anti-social behaviour.
“Every single day it was getting broken into, things were getting stolen, kids were on the roof and there was a fire as well.
“Yes it is sad all the jobs have gone but that’s where we are, that’s the modern way.”
Jack still remembers the moment he was told he had lost his job.
“As an engineer I worked on every part of the site – wveryone knew who I was even if I didn’t know them,” he said.
“We all got a quaich to mark 200 years of the business, I’ve still got mine.
“I remember the day we got told we’d lost our jobs – it was 11am on April 27 2015.
“Some of the staff were kept and the rest told to put their jackets on and go up the road. I went home, cuddled my wife and had a cry.
“There were still orders on the books that needed done.”
Former employee Bob Anderson said: “I worked there for more than 30 years. There were about 500 people who worked there when I did.
“I’ve no idea why they need to take them down. They’re not in anyone’s way.”
The chimneys were blown up as part of work on a new development on the site.
Work started in 2021 on the project, which includes up to 850 homes, a care home, leisure space and retail, business and industrial units.
The work is being overseen by Advance Construction.
The £42 million project will be developed in several phases over the next few years.
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