A massive fire ripped through a popular deli in Elie on Friday.
The Elie Deli on the High Street suffered catastrophic damage after a fire broke out just before 11am.
The fire raged through the building, spreading to a flat above the shop, which firefighters spent several hours trying to extinguish.
The roof of the building was completely caved in and significant structural damage could be seen from the street.
Adjoining buildings were protected from the flames, through the actions of the fire fighters in attendance.
Fire crews from throughout Fife rushed to the scene, including engines and officers from other Fife villages Anstruther and Methil.
Seven engines, including an aerial rescue appliance, were in attendance at the blaze that shut down the High Street for the afternoon.
Local funeral director Alan Steven, who was a witness at the scene, said he had been devastated at the apparent loss of what is a hugely popular local business.
He said: “It is a terrible shame that this has happened. I really feel for the owner of the Deli.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “On arrival crews found a well-developed fire within a multi occupied property in the High Street.
“Operations control staff in Edinburgh received several 999 calls just before 11am and immediately dispatched crews from Methil and Anstruther fire stations.
“An additional crew from Glenrothes was quickly requested along with the aerial rescue appliance from Kirkcaldy fire station after the fire broke through to the roof area.
“Firefighters fought the fire from outside the building using high pressure water jets due to a partial collapse of the roof.
Group Manager Steven Michie, who was in charge at the scene, said: “This was a well-developed fire that had spread to the roof space.
“Through the efforts of the firefighters the fire was successfully contained to the building and although there has been significant damage, the adjoining properties were protected.”
For more, see Saturday’s Courier
