Three escape from blaze at historic country house

THREE people escaped unharmed after a fire broke out at a historic country house, it was confirmed today.

Sixty firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze at A-listed Ladyland House in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said.

They managed to confine the fire to the first and second-floor bedrooms and a small section of the roof space after crews were called to the scene in Dipple Road at around 9.10pm last night.

The three occupants of the house, a man, woman and boy, had escaped by the time emergency services arrived. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by around 4.30am but were still at the scene at midday using thermal imaging cameras to ensure all pockets of fire are fully extinguished.

A full investigation is being undertaken by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's incident research and investigation section.

Ladyland House was designed by Glasgow architect David Hamilton and was built around 1816-1821.

Hamilton designed other well-known buildings including Glasgow's Royal Exchange, now better known as the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).