Two teenagers charged as fire crews battle Ayr Station Hotel blaze
The fire has been burning for more than 12 hours
Last updated 26th Sep 2023
Two teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising as crews continue to fight a blaze which broke out that historic Station Hotel in Ayr at 5.30pm on Monday afternoon.
15 appliances were involved at the peak of the blaze on Monday night, and as of 10am today (Tuesday) the number has been reduced to 5 crews.
The youths will both be reported to the relevant authorities and further enquiries are ongoing.
Roads closed
Superintendent Gillian Grant said: “We are aware of the significant disruption that this fire continues to cause for local residents in businesses in Ayr.
“I would urge people to be aware of the road closures and plan their journeys accordingly.
“I would ask people to avoid the area wherever possible to allow emergency services to work safely at the scene.”
A number of roads remain closed near the station.
These include:
• Kyle Street at High Street
• Smith Street at Mill Street
• Pedestrian closure of Smith Street from the Station Hotel to Ayr Central
• Castlehill Road at the Market Inn
• Parkhouse Street
• Burns Statue Square at Killoch Place
Trains cancelled
The fire will have a major impact on train servicesacross Ayrshire with services to / from Glasgow terminating at Irvine, while trains on the Stranraer line will start and finish at Girvan.
A Scotrail spokesperson said: "We are operating replacement buses on the affected route and rail tickets are accepted on local bus routes, including Stagecoach West and McGills, at no extra cost."
Passengers reported spending up to two hours on trains which were stopped on the line on Monday evening.
Faded grandeur
The station hotel was once one of the grandest building in Ayr, becoming part of a network of sumptuous hotels established by railway companies for Victorian travellers across Britain.
The future of the building has been in doubt for many years after it fell out of use, with concerns about its structural condition leading it to be wrapped in protective scaffolding.
READ MORE: Station hotel to stay wrapped up
Heritage campaigners have been fighting plans for demolition, questioning official reports into the state of the building and exploring potential alternative uses.
However retired Ayrshire firefighter Ian Downie tells Greatest Hits Radio News this latest blaze likely puts any chance of restoring the historic building to bed: "It would need a rather rich benefactor to rescue it now.
"Sandstone buildings do stand up reasonably well to fire. A metal cage inside what would be the façade of the building would be possible, but it's cost prohibitive. "
A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continue to fight the fire at the former Ayr Station Hotel.
"A number of roads in the vicinity remain closed and diversions are in place.
"As this is an ongoing incident, people are advised to keep away from the area to allow Emergency Services to work safely on site.
"We would like to thank the Emergency Services for their ongoing efforts to ensure public safety as they continue to battle the fire at the privately owned building.
"The Council’s Building Standards team have been on site and will assess the structural integrity of the building when it’s safe to do so."