Union says Ayr hotel blaze shows 'madness' of fire service cuts
The FBU claims a high reach appliance was axed weeks before the blaze
Last updated 27th Sep 2023
The Fire Brigades Union is claiming the blaze which tore through the derelict Station Hotel in Ayr for more than 12 hours has "exposed the madness" of cuts to the Scottish Fire and Rescue service.
The union says a high reach appliances had to be brought in from Kilmarnock and Glasgow because the one stationed in Ayr was withdrawn a month ago.
On Wednesday morning police confirmed a third person - a 13 -year-old boy - has been arrested in connection with the fire which broke out around 5.30pm on Monday and was still burning at breakfast time on Tuesday.
That followed the arrest of and charging of two boys aged 17 and 13 on Tuesday.
Scotrail services to Ayr will be cancelled until at least 2nd October with trains to and from Glasgow terminating at Prestwick, and services to Stranraer running from Girvan.
Appliance cuts
At the peak of the fire there were 15 appliances from across the west of Scotland involved.
The FBU claims 10 fire appliances and 12 high reach vehicles have been withdrawn from service due to budget cuts.
Colin Brown, Scottish Executive Council member of the FBU said, 'The fire at the Station Hotel Ayr is the latest example of the madness of the cuts being imposed on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“At a time when fire appliances and high reach vehicles have been withdrawn this huge fire meant that fire appliances were called from across the South and West of Scotland leaving communities behind with little or no cover should another incident have occurred at the same time.”
Pressure on local MSP
Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown MSP also serves as Minister for Victims and Community Safety, with responsibilty for the Fire and Rescue Service.
The union believes the incident, in which no one was hurt, should be a trigger for a review.
“Surely, with this incident Siobhian Brown can see that the cuts she is overseeing are endangering the lives of firefighters and the communities they serve,” says Colin Brown.
“She now has all the evidence she needs to go back to the Finance Secretary and demand a greater share of the budget to put an end to the decade of irresponsible cuts to the Fire and Rescue Service.'
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhan Brown told Greatest Hits Radio News:
“I have received an assurance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that the deployment of the high reach appliance did not impact the outcome of this incident, which took place in a derelict building with no life risk.
“I understand three people have now been arrested in connection with the incident.”