Police Confirm Ayr Shopping Centre Fire Was Deliberate

A fire at an abandoned shopping centre area in Ayr on October 8 was treated as deliberate by Police Scotland after emergency crews responded to smoke from the vacant building. The incident occurred at the former Kyle Shopping Centre and former Hourstons department store site, with no injuries reported.

According to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, crews were alerted at 6.10pm to a building fire on High Street in Ayr. Four fire appliances and a high reach appliance attended, and firefighters left the scene at 8.39pm after making the area safe.

Police Scotland said officers were called around 6.35pm to assist firefighters at the Alloway Street area. A cordon was placed around the building, affecting access to streets including Alloway Street and Dalblair Street.

"We were alerted at 6.10pm on Thursday, October 8, to reports of a fire affecting a building on High Street in Ayr. Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and a high reach appliance to the area, and the fire was extinguished. There were no reported casualties, and crews left the scene at 8.39pm after ensuring the area was safe." said a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson.

The service confirmed that firefighters completed operations after containing the blaze, while police continued inquiries into how the fire started.

"Around 6.35pm on Thursday, October 8, police were called to assist Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at the scene of a fire in the Alloway Street area of Ayr. There were no injuries reported. The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing." said a Police Scotland spokesperson.

Police Scotland's investigation follows concerns about security at the vacant site, which South Ayrshire Council has identified for possible housing or mixed-use redevelopment.

"There will be a lot of anger regarding this. Many have been saying for months this (a fire) would happen. When there were security issues a few months back and the broken windows were repaired by SAC- we were given assurance that the building would be secured." said Siobhian Brown, Ayr MSP.

Brown's comments came after the fire raised renewed questions about access and security measures around the historic property.

"I regularly phone the police about teens in the building and the concern that one time it will result in a fire, but between the council and the police, not enough has been done to stop access to the building." said a local resident.

Other public comments also focused on protecting the site while redevelopment plans continue.

"If security isn’t stepped up after this latest attack then SAC’s budget for ripping up Burns Statue Square should be removed from them and used to secure and protect these historic assets. Utterly sickening." said another local resident.

"Absolutely typical. Just an excuse to bring the Hourstons building down, next it will be the old Kyle Centre." said a local resident.

"Not a surprise but hope they save the frontage." said a local resident.

South Ayrshire Council said a security company will assess the site and provide recommendations for improvements. The council said redevelopment plans remain unchanged despite the fire.

"review the site" said a South Ayrshire Council spokesperson.

"recommendations on how security can be improved." said a South Ayrshire Council spokesperson.

"As part of the redevelopment of the site, a tender for the demolition of the former Hourstons building will be issued shortly. The fire does not affect overall plans for the site." said a South Ayrshire Council spokesperson.

Building standards officials were also scheduled to carry out an assessment of the building on October 9, according to the Daily Record.