Stark pictures show the extent of a devastating fire that ripped through an Irvine building in the early hours of this morning.
Emergency crews were scrambled to the town's High Street just before 5.30am to fight the flames close to Bridgegate.
Six Fire Crews at the Scene
At the height of the blaze, six fire crews, including a high reach appliance, were diverted to the inferno that closed part of the town centre down.
Aerial photos taken today show the extent of the fire with charred roof struts peaking out from collapsed slates. The majority of the damage appears to be on the second floor where a dormer has partially fallen in and the innards of the property have been blackened by the flames and smoke.
Street Closed and Cordon in Place
Firefighters and police crews shut down the street to allow the blaze to be brought under control this morning with a cordon in place.
The blaze has erupted next door to the once famous King's Arms pub, which is in the midst of being converted to housing by North Ayrshire Council. It's not known if the renovation work has been impacted by the inferno but some char marks can be seen on the adjoining wall of the new housing project.
No Reported Casualties
Work is due to be completed on the six new council homes by the end of this year.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said this morning: "We were alerted at 5.27am on Tuesday, October 20, to reports of a fire within a building on High Street, Irvine. Operations Control immediately mobilised a number of resources including six appliances and a high reach appliance. Crew are working to extinguish the flames and there are no reported casualties."
The cause of the blaze is currently unknown. Police say their enquiries remain ongoing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Emergency services are in attendance at a fire at a premises on High Street, Irvine. We were called to the scene around 5.30am on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. High Street is closed at Bank Street and a cordon is in place. Enquiries are ongoing."
