Five fire engines tackle blaze in Ayr town centre

At approx 0320 hours this morning Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Operations Control received a call to a fire in the ground floor of a 3 storey mid terraced row of shops within the Sandgate area of Ayr town centre.

Two fire appliances were quickly mobilised from Ayr community fire station. Upon arrival the Incident Commander was faced with a well developed fire within the rear extension of the ground floor.

Additional resources were ordered on to the scene and at the height of the blaze five fire engines from across Ayrshire were in attendance.

The fire was brought under control by eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entering the building, using two main jets and a hosereel jet to extinguish the fire. The street was closed off to traffic whilst the fire was being fought.

Fire crews will remain in attendance for some considerable time.

Specialist fire investigation officers from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Incident Research & Investigation Section (IRIS)are in attendance and will work along with the Police to determine the cause. There is no further information available at this time.