Ayr explosion: Major incident following reports of an explosion in Kincaidston

Emergency services are on the scene in Kincaidston after reports of a large explosion.

Police, the fire service and other emergency serivces, including a medical helicopter are responding after an explosion at a house in Ayr.

People are being urged to avoid the area with the Scottish Fire Service confirming their attendance.

The incident happened just after 7pm.

Four people have been taken to hospital in Kilmarnock following the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of an explosion at a property on Gorse Park in Ayr shortly after 7.10pm on Monday, 18 October.

“Emergency services are currently at the scene.”

Images on social media showed debris scattered on the street in the residential Kincaidston area.

Police at the scene at Kincaidston Drive, Ayr, as four people have been taken to hospital following a large explosion at a house in Gorse Park, Ayr (Photo: Jane Barlow).

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 7.11pm on Monday, October 18 to reports of a dwelling fire in Gorse Park, Ayr.

“Operations control mobilised nine appliances and specialist resources to the scene and firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.

“Crews currently remain in attendance and are assisting emergency service partners.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 7.16pm to attend an incident at Gorse Park, Ayr, alongside Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Police at the scene at Kincaidston Drive, Ayr, as three people have been taken to hospital following a large explosion at a house in Gorse Park, Ayr. Picture date: Monday October 18, 2021.

“We dispatched a number of resources to the scene, including three specialist operations vehicles, six ambulances and an air ambulance.”

A spokesman for gas distribution company SGN said they were helping emergency services.

He said: “At around 8pm tonight we received a request to assist the emergency services following the reports of a serious explosion in Gorse Park, Ayr.

“Our engineers are currently assisting the emergency services to ensure the immediate vicinity is made safe in our role as the gas emergency service.”

Picture; JPI Media

The cause of the blast is thought to be a gas explosion with social media users stating that the explosion could be heard for miles around.

A spokesman for gas distribution company SGN said they were helping emergency services.

He said: “At around 8pm tonight we received a request to assist the emergency services following the reports of a serious explosion in Gorse Park, Ayr.

“Our engineers are currently assisting the emergency services to ensure the immediate vicinity is made safe in our role as the gas emergency service.”

Locals have been urged to stay away, with local businesses and nearby St Columba Church opening to offer shelter those who have been displaced and evacuated from their homes. Others have gathered at Queen Margaret Academy, the local secondary school.

The Kincaidston Community Centre has also said it was open for those who needed help.

Police at the scene at Kincaidston Drive, Ayr, as three people have been taken to hospital following a large explosion at a house in Gorse Park, Ayr. Picture date: Monday October 18, 2021.

One resident of Masonhill, an area near Kincaidston told The Scotsman: “I thought it was a sonic boom from an aircraft” while another added: “I though someone had banged against the house window.”

A number of roads around the area have closed as a result of the incident.

The Ayrshire Police Twitter account said: “We are currently in attendance following a report of an explosion at a property on Gorse Park in Ayr shortly after 7.10pm on Monday, 18 October.

“Emergency services are currently at the scene and we would advise people to avoid the area at the present time.”

Scotland’s Health Minister Humza Yousaf tweeted: “My thanks to all of our Emergency Services attending the scene of this awful incident. Please continue to listen to Police advice. My thoughts with those affected.”