Firefighters tackle blaze at Ayrshire restaurant

Major fire at thatched building

MORE than 30 firefighters are currently battling a severe blaze at a thatched restaurant in the village of Kirkoswald.

The affected building was once a school which was attended by Robert Burns.

The alarm was raised at 12:12 this afternoon. Firefighters who arrived at the scene were confronted by a serious blaze at the premises, and additional pumps and an Aerial Rescue Pump were requested.

Firefighters swiftly ascertained that no-one was in the building and crews attacked the fire with main jets and ground-based water monitors.  Homes close to the affected building have been evacuated as a precaution, and there are no reports of any injuries.   

A section of the thatched roof has collapsed, and firefighting operations are currently ongoing.