Horror fire that ripped through stores in Scots town centre treated as wilful as cops hunt culprits
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A HUGE blaze that destroyed several buildings in a busy Scottish town centre was started deliberately, sparking a police hunt.
Emergency crews raced to Sandbed Street in Kilmarnock last night after a four-storey building was torched at around 9.30pm.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
A four-storey building was set on fire last night
Credit: PA
6
Crews raced to the burning building in Kilmarnock last night
Credit: PA
6
Crews have remained at the scene today
Credit: John Kirkby
A ferocious blaze was seen ripping through several buildings after flames spread to other nearby premises.
Eight fire engines were scrambled to tackle the blaze, and police shut down surrounding roads.
Firefighters were still on the scene this morning as they worked to extinguish the blaze.
Luckily, no one was injured in the fire. However, several businesses are feared to have been destroyed by the flames.
Police have now confirmed the blaze is being treated as deliberate, and officers have launched a hunt for the people who started it.
The force said they are treating the fire as wilful and said that enquiries are ongoing.
The full town is ruined. About 30+ people have lost their livelihoods businesses, etc, mine included. Pretty much spent my life savings opening that place
Niky Brown Tattoo Artist
Detectives have said that a number of streets will remain closed as crews remain at the scene.
King Street remains closed to the junction with St Marnock Street, and Sandbed Lane is also shut.
Local Area Commander Chief Inspector Scott McCurdy said: 'This was a large fire and I would like to thank our emergency service colleagues for their help throughout the night.
'We understand the impact this fire has had on local businesses and I want to thank the public for their patience and assistance while we carry out our enquiries.
Major motorway closed after lorry fire sparking huge delays for thousands of drivers
'We are treating the fire as deliberate, and our investigation is ongoing.
'I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the fire and who saw anything suspicious to contact us.
'I would also ask anyone who was in the area and who may have dash cam or private CCTV which could assist us to get in touch.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 3692 of 14 July, 2025."
Shock pictures show huge plumes of smoke billowing from the building.
The shop was badly affected by the fire and a lot of uncertainties come with this cruel act... We can't begin to think what our futures look like from here
Employee of a Bonmarche store
Locals looked on in horror and took out their phones to film the inferno as firecrews raced to the scene.
Local business Niky Brown Tattoo Artist spoke of their devastation after their business was affected by the huge blaze.
They wrote online: "Woke up thinking all of that was a dream last night.
"Reality has hit today. Can't believe someone went out of their way and burned down not only my tattoo shop but all the other businesses on King Street too.
"The full town is ruined. About 30+ people have lost their livelihoods businesses, etc, mine included.
STREET INFERNO
Earlier today, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said six six appliances as well as two specialist appliances were deployed to the scene.
A spokesperson said: "We received reports at 8.58pm of a fire to the rear of one of the commercial buildings on King Street, Kilmarnock.
"We initially mobilised two appliances and specialist appliances.
"We currently have six appliances as well as two specialist appliances in attendance."
East Ayrshire Council also urged the public to avoid the area after saying the fire was "still burning" this morning.
A spokesperson commented: "King Street Kilmarnock will remain closed today following a fire last night.
"Shops and businesses in the street will be unable to open as emergency services require access since the fire is still burning.
"Surrounding roads have reopened. More updates will follow."
"Pretty much spent my life savings opening that place."
The tattoo artist has launched an online fundraiser saying "We've lost everything".
Elsewhere, a Bonmarche store, which also sits on the burned-out block, was also badly damaged by the huge flames.
An employee wrote online: "The shop was badly affected by the fire and a lot of uncertainties come with this cruel act.
"This was many of our livelihoods and a place we all enjoyed to be.
"We can't begin to think what our futures look like from here."
Residents have been warned to keep their windows closed while crews deal with the blaze.
6
Six appliances and two specialist appliances were deployed to the scene
Credit: Alamy
6
Officers received reports of the blaze at around 9.30pm
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Windrush commissioner: Apprehension and suspicion remains towards Home Office
Reverend Clive Foster, the first Windrush commissioner, has pledged to push for speedier payouts from a much-criticised compensation scheme for those affected by the scandal. Last month just ahead of announcing his appointment, immigration minister Seema Malhotra confirmed around 64 claimants had died after applying for payouts, as she set out the Government's wish to speed up 'justice'. On Wednesday, she will attend an event with Mr Foster where people affected by the scandal, which erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain, will hear from the commissioner on his aims for his role. A total of 10,326 claims had been made under the scheme as of May this year, according to the latest Home Office data. The figures also showed that just over £112 million has been paid out so far, covering 3,334 claims. In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of the event, Mr Foster said he will be advocating for a 'fair, accessible and trauma-informed' compensation scheme. While some campaigners have called for the scheme to be moved out of the Home Office altogether, due to applicants' lack of trust in the department, Mr Foster appeared to disagree with such a change. He told PA: 'I think what I will be pushing for is to make sure that this compensation scheme must be seen to be fair, accessible and trauma-informed, and I will be pushing to get swifter outcomes. 'I know there's been a call for movement into another area (out of the Home Office), but I think we should be careful what we wish for. 'I think it's important that we make the scheme workable.' Asked if he felt moving it to another department might risk further delays to payouts, he said: 'I think that is a possibility.' He said the Home Office would not want a situation where it has 'further 'reasons why it cannot be giving out fast decisions and compensation to people who have been terribly affected as a result of the scandal, and so this movement, I think, would inevitably cause some of that slowing down, and I think that is something that we have to be aware of'. He said he had already pressed on the minister the need for guarantees around pension losses being covered by the scheme. Ms Malhotra has previously said officials in her department are 'reviewing the current exclusion within the rules of compensation for private and occupational pensions'. Mr Foster said he will work with 'like-minded campaigners' to address problems with the scheme and 'to inform the Home Office where they're getting it right and where they're getting it wrong, without fear or favour'. Asked to describe the level of trust in the Home Office currently among those affected by the scandal, he said: 'I'm afraid I still feel that there is apprehension and some suspicion with regards to, 'is this working towards better outcomes?' 'What we need to accelerate is the actions and activities that are going to build trust. I always say 'you can't cross a bridge until you've built it.'' He said the department must show through actions rather than only words 'that there is going to be a culture change'. Mr Foster, a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham and the son of parents who migrated to the UK from Jamaica in 1959, said he will 'be reaching out to communities and acting as that advocate and trusted voice, as it were, going forward'. Among his top priorities will be ensuring people are comfortable to come forward and get the correct documentation to ensure they have settled status and are not 'wrongly classified as illegal'. He said: 'People still need to feel that they can be respected and accepted to come forward without that fear of being penalised as a result of not having (the right documentation).' Meanwhile, Mr Foster said he will also be working to ensure the legacy of the Windrush generation is celebrated in the future, including through the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Campaigners last month called on the Government to step in to protect the future of the west London carnival, which they said was in jeopardy, as they asked for urgent funding to save the world-famous event. Mr Foster said carnival 'brings so much to the country, and I think that is an expression of the Windrush generation legacy'. He added: 'One of the things in my role would be to be looking to ensure that we continue to celebrate the legacy and the contribution of the Windrush generation, and carnival is one of those aspects, and I'll be happy to engage in conversations to look at that going forward.'
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Windrush commissioner: Apprehension and suspicion remains towards Home Office
Reverend Clive Foster, the first Windrush commissioner, has pledged to push for speedier payouts from a much-criticised compensation scheme for those affected by the scandal. Last month just ahead of announcing his appointment, immigration minister Seema Malhotra confirmed around 64 claimants had died after applying for payouts, as she set out the Government's wish to speed up 'justice'. On Wednesday, she will attend an event with Mr Foster where people affected by the scandal, which erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain, will hear from the commissioner on his aims for his role. A total of 10,326 claims had been made under the scheme as of May this year, according to the latest Home Office data. The figures also showed that just over £112 million has been paid out so far, covering 3,334 claims. In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of the event, Mr Foster said he will be advocating for a 'fair, accessible and trauma-informed' compensation scheme. While some campaigners have called for the scheme to be moved out of the Home Office altogether, due to applicants' lack of trust in the department, Mr Foster appeared to disagree with such a change. He told PA: 'I think what I will be pushing for is to make sure that this compensation scheme must be seen to be fair, accessible and trauma-informed, and I will be pushing to get swifter outcomes. 'I know there's been a call for movement into another area (out of the Home Office), but I think we should be careful what we wish for. 'I think it's important that we make the scheme workable.' Asked if he felt moving it to another department might risk further delays to payouts, he said: 'I think that is a possibility.' Reverend Clive Foster, the new Windrush commissioner (Nottingham Trent University/PA) He said the Home Office would not want a situation where it has 'further 'reasons why it cannot be giving out fast decisions and compensation to people who have been terribly affected as a result of the scandal, and so this movement, I think, would inevitably cause some of that slowing down, and I think that is something that we have to be aware of'. He said he had already pressed on the minister the need for guarantees around pension losses being covered by the scheme. Ms Malhotra has previously said officials in her department are 'reviewing the current exclusion within the rules of compensation for private and occupational pensions'. Mr Foster said he will work with 'like-minded campaigners' to address problems with the scheme and 'to inform the Home Office where they're getting it right and where they're getting it wrong, without fear or favour'. Asked to describe the level of trust in the Home Office currently among those affected by the scandal, he said: 'I'm afraid I still feel that there is apprehension and some suspicion with regards to, 'is this working towards better outcomes?' 'What we need to accelerate is the actions and activities that are going to build trust. I always say 'you can't cross a bridge until you've built it.'' He said the department must show through actions rather than only words 'that there is going to be a culture change'. Mr Foster, a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham and the son of parents who migrated to the UK from Jamaica in 1959, said he will 'be reaching out to communities and acting as that advocate and trusted voice, as it were, going forward'. Notting Hill Carnival takes place in August each year in west London (Jeff Moore/PA) Among his top priorities will be ensuring people are comfortable to come forward and get the correct documentation to ensure they have settled status and are not 'wrongly classified as illegal'. He said: 'People still need to feel that they can be respected and accepted to come forward without that fear of being penalised as a result of not having (the right documentation).' Meanwhile, Mr Foster said he will also be working to ensure the legacy of the Windrush generation is celebrated in the future, including through the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Campaigners last month called on the Government to step in to protect the future of the west London carnival, which they said was in jeopardy, as they asked for urgent funding to save the world-famous event. Mr Foster said carnival 'brings so much to the country, and I think that is an expression of the Windrush generation legacy'. He added: 'One of the things in my role would be to be looking to ensure that we continue to celebrate the legacy and the contribution of the Windrush generation, and carnival is one of those aspects, and I'll be happy to engage in conversations to look at that going forward.'
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Windrush commissioner: Apprehension and suspicion remains towards Home Office
Reverend Clive Foster, the first Windrush commissioner, has pledged to push for speedier payouts from a much-criticised compensation scheme for those affected by the scandal. Last month just ahead of announcing his appointment, immigration minister Seema Malhotra confirmed around 64 claimants had died after applying for payouts, as she set out the Government's wish to speed up 'justice'. On Wednesday, she will attend an event with Mr Foster where people affected by the scandal, which erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain, will hear from the commissioner on his aims for his role. A total of 10,326 claims had been made under the scheme as of May this year, according to the latest Home Office data. The figures also showed that just over £112 million has been paid out so far, covering 3,334 claims. In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of the event, Mr Foster said he will be advocating for a 'fair, accessible and trauma-informed' compensation scheme. While some campaigners have called for the scheme to be moved out of the Home Office altogether, due to applicants' lack of trust in the department, Mr Foster appeared to disagree with such a change. He told PA: 'I think what I will be pushing for is to make sure that this compensation scheme must be seen to be fair, accessible and trauma-informed, and I will be pushing to get swifter outcomes. 'I know there's been a call for movement into another area (out of the Home Office), but I think we should be careful what we wish for. 'I think it's important that we make the scheme workable.' Asked if he felt moving it to another department might risk further delays to payouts, he said: 'I think that is a possibility.' He said the Home Office would not want a situation where it has 'further 'reasons why it cannot be giving out fast decisions and compensation to people who have been terribly affected as a result of the scandal, and so this movement, I think, would inevitably cause some of that slowing down, and I think that is something that we have to be aware of'. He said he had already pressed on the minister the need for guarantees around pension losses being covered by the scheme. Ms Malhotra has previously said officials in her department are 'reviewing the current exclusion within the rules of compensation for private and occupational pensions'. Mr Foster said he will work with 'like-minded campaigners' to address problems with the scheme and 'to inform the Home Office where they're getting it right and where they're getting it wrong, without fear or favour'. Asked to describe the level of trust in the Home Office currently among those affected by the scandal, he said: 'I'm afraid I still feel that there is apprehension and some suspicion with regards to, 'is this working towards better outcomes?' 'What we need to accelerate is the actions and activities that are going to build trust. I always say 'you can't cross a bridge until you've built it.'' He said the department must show through actions rather than only words 'that there is going to be a culture change'. Mr Foster, a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham and the son of parents who migrated to the UK from Jamaica in 1959, said he will 'be reaching out to communities and acting as that advocate and trusted voice, as it were, going forward'. Among his top priorities will be ensuring people are comfortable to come forward and get the correct documentation to ensure they have settled status and are not 'wrongly classified as illegal'. He said: 'People still need to feel that they can be respected and accepted to come forward without that fear of being penalised as a result of not having (the right documentation).' Meanwhile, Mr Foster said he will also be working to ensure the legacy of the Windrush generation is celebrated in the future, including through the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Campaigners last month called on the Government to step in to protect the future of the west London carnival, which they said was in jeopardy, as they asked for urgent funding to save the world-famous event. Mr Foster said carnival 'brings so much to the country, and I think that is an expression of the Windrush generation legacy'. He added: 'One of the things in my role would be to be looking to ensure that we continue to celebrate the legacy and the contribution of the Windrush generation, and carnival is one of those aspects, and I'll be happy to engage in conversations to look at that going forward.'
