A fire has destroyed brand new play equipment at Cowdenbeath’s Public Park before the space was even officially opened.

A fire was reported in the early hours of Monday 26th January, with video shared by Fife Jammer Locations on social media.

The playpark had received a £150,000 upgrade in December and was due to be officially opened soon.

Council officials will now need to find thousands to remove the debris and melted play surface and replace the equipment originally intended for the area.

Stuart Duffy, from development group My Cowdenbeath, said:

“It’s obviously really disappointing to see equipment meant for local kids’ enjoyment destroyed in this blatant and mindless act of vandalism. The park had received a much-needed boost with this recent investment and we were all looking forward to the official opening of the new equipment, which will now have to be delayed while remediation works are done. We would encourage anyone with CCTV overlooking the park to check their cameras and provide any information they can to the Police.”

Melanie Ward, the Member of Parliament for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, said:

“This vandalism is a disgrace. It is unacceptable to see our treasured public places damaged deliberately. These are our shared spaces, and incidents like this in a children’s playpark only deepen the growing concern about anti-social behaviour here in Cowdenbeath – the number one issue raised with me when I was out speaking with residents on Saturday.

“At the end of last year, I brought together key organisations including Social Work and the Police for an Anti-social Behaviour Summit to push for fresh action. Incidents like this show why this action is urgent. I have also launched a community survey so that more local residents can have a say on this and other issues.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received the call at 3.30am to a fire at Cowdenbeath Public Park.

“One appliance was dispatched to the scene, and the call to stop came in at 3.57am.”

There was swift condemnation from local councillors too.

Cllr Linda Erskine, Fife Council’s spokesperson for communities and leisure, said: “I am deeply disappointed to learn of the fire at Cowdenbeath Public Park. The council recently completed a £150,000 refurbishment of the park, which was due to be officially opened in the coming weeks.

“Local families will understandably be devastated to see this happen in their community as it deprives children of a safe and welcoming place to play.

“Council officers are currently assessing the extent of the damage, and once this inspection is complete, we will determine the next steps.”

Councillor Darren Watt, for Cowdenbeath, expressed his frustration at the incident.

“It is just another senseless and needless act of vandalism which is just what the town doesn’t need at the moment”, he said.