Mysterious bangs going off at all times of the day and night are causing a headache for villagers in Cellardyke.
The noise, which has been described as sounding like an agricultural bird scaring device, appears to be coming from a household near the Toll Road area.
However, Fife Council’s environmental health team has been unable to pinpoint the source.
On Sunday night, a fire crew was called out at around 10.50pm after a loud bang and flash were reported but again, the source of the racket remained a mystery.
Residents say they have been woken up at 6am by the noise and want it to stop.
Daryl Wilson, secretary of The Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther and Cellardyke Community Council, said: “Cellardyke residents are thoroughly fed up with the loud bangs that have been set off randomly over the past month or so.
“Sometimes it sounds muffled, whereas at other times it’s the noise of a firework.
“It’s very unfair, never mind illegal, to sound such a device in a residential area and we hope Fife Council environmental services can locate the device and take appropriate action.”
Dr Ingrid Wallace, who is a technical officer with the environmental health team, is so determined to get to the bottom of the mystery she has even offered to camp in a local garden as part of her investigation.
“I’ve visited the area on numerous occasions and have sent out letters and spoken with residents. I have also heard the noise for myself.
“However, as yet, we’ve been unable to establish what is causing the noise or where it’s coming from but we’ll keep investigating.”
Dr Wallace urged anyone with any information about the source of the noise to email Duty.OfficerPPT@fife.gov.uk.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Bill Porteous said the issue was discussed at this week’s community council meting.
“There seems to be somebody using a bird scarer at all times of the day and night.
“It appears to be coming from a household near the Muir Homes area and it’s waking and annoying both kids and pets because it’s going off randomly.
“It doesn’t seem to be in a field and appears to be in someone’s house or back garden.”
He added bird scarer devices, which generate a loud noise using combustible gas, are potentially dangerous and could cause injury of not used properly.