For more than 70 years it rang with the blare of sirens as fire engines raced out on life-saving missions.
Now it is the beating heart of Dunfermline’s artistic community and Scotland’s newest contemporary art centre.
The former Dunfermline fire station has been given new life as Fire Station Creative, an art gallery, caf and studios which has burst on to the cultural scene with a launch exhibition called ReminiScience.
Acclaimed painter Gordon Picken’s huge pieces make the most of the art deco station’s grand hall and have been seen by hundreds of visitors since the venue was opened three weeks ago by playwright and artist John Byrne.
Curator Ian Moir, whose burning desire to bring art to the fore in west Fife led to the charity and social enterprise, is delighted with the result which he says is making art more accessible.
He said: “If you had to design an art centre with a vibrant gallery space and room for a caf and studios you would design this building.
“It was always our ambition that this building should be an art venue that can compete with venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee and I think we have achieved that.”
Fire Station Creative has been five years in the making, with the vision formed by painter Ian, 37, and photo-grapher Eamonn McGoldrick, who were frustrated by a lack of studio and exhibition space.
A feasibility study identified the B-listed Carnegie Road station, about to be vacated by Fife Fire and Rescue, as possible premises.
Ian said: “When I viewed it back in 2010 it was a eureka moment.
“It wasn’t a great leap of the imagination to see it as an art centre and that’s why it was so easy to get the public on board.”
The building was put up for sale by Fife Council but when Labour returned to power in 2012 leader Alex Rowley loved the idea and it was withdrawn from the market and offered to Fire Station Creative at a peppercorn rent.
Funding of £170,000 was provided by Fife Council, £30,000 by Creative Scotland and grants from other sources.
The biggest single investment was the £35,000 glass doors on the front and rear of the building, which fill the gallery with light and allow people to see in.
They were modelled on the original doors which were later replaced with PVC scrolling doors.
Ian said: “We wanted to restore the iconic beauty of the building, which is a classic art deco architectural piece.”
There is already a waiting list for the 21 studios for rent which are occupied by various artists, including a jeweller, photographer and storyboard artist.
There is also a room for art therapy, funded by the Mary Leishman Foundation, and open space for classes and other events.
The exhibitions diary is full until January, with the likes of photographer Brian Knight and painter Saul Robertson.