Two teenagers charged as firefighters battle blaze at Ayr's historic Station Hotel

Two teenagers have been charged as firefighters continue to battle a blaze at a historic hotel.

Thirteen appliances were sent to Ayr Station Hotel at around 5.30pm on Monday with work to contain the fire ongoing on Tuesday morning.

Two teenage boys, aged 17 and 13, have been arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising following the incident.

Ayr Train Station is closed as are a number of nearby roads.

ScotRail confirmed on Tuesday morning that the lines between Ayr and Girvan and between Ayr and Irvine were closed.

A bus replacement has been put in place at a pick up point in Ayr and will now be at Morrisons Supermarket on Castlehill Road.

Kyle Street at High Street, Smith Street at Mill Street, Castlehill Road at the Market Inn, Parkhouse Street and Burns Statue Square at Killoch Place are shut.

Smith Street from the Station Hotel to Ayr Central is closed to pedestrians.

Diversion routes are in place, police said.

Fire at the Station Hotel in Ayr. Kai Brown

No one has been hurt as a result of the fire, however it is the second time the building has been ablaze this year, with firefighters attending a fire at the site in May.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson said in an update: “We still have a number of firefighters on scene at a fire within the Station Hotel, Ayr.

“At present, this morning, Tuesday September 26 we have five appliances at the scene where crews are working to extinguish the fire.

It's horrible to see the beautiful 138 year-old Ayr Railway Station Hotel ablaze. Hopefully, the damage is limited.

This is the second arson attack to hit the French Renaissance style building by architect Andrew Galloway this year.@SAVEBrit @KatySClark @PDArchitect @theAHSS https://t.co/vhrW2LT3pN
— Paul Sweeney (@PaulJSweeney) September 25, 2023

“Initially, we were alerted at 5.37pm on Monday September 25 to reports of a fire within the Station Hotel, Ayr.

“At its height, Operations Control mobilised 15 appliances to the scene.

“No casualties have been reported.”

Police confirmed on Tuesday that two teenagers had been charged and would be reported to the relevant authorities.

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.”