Firefighters battle early morning blaze in Irvine as nearby residents evacuated

Firefighters are battling a blaze at a building in Irvine town centre, with nearby residents evacuated.

Emergency services were called around 5.30am on Tuesday to a fire at a premises on High Street.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent six appliances and a high reach appliance to the scene.

Fire crews are working to extinguish the flames and there are no reported casualties.

The road is closed at Bank Street and a police cordon has been put in place. Officers say enquiries are ongoing.

Nearby resident, Alex Campbell, told STV News: “We got a ring at the doorbell at half five this morning, and I looked out my bedroom window to see the fire in the window of another building.

“We got our two cats out and left. My wife and I are just hoping we can go home soon, as we got a big fright.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 5.27am on Tuesday, October 20, to reports of a fire within a building on High Street, Irvine.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised a number of resources, including six appliances and a high reach appliance.

“Crew are working to extinguish the flames and there are no reported casualties.”