logo
Horror fire that ripped through stores in Scots town centre treated as wilful as cops hunt culprits

Horror fire that ripped through stores in Scots town centre treated as wilful as cops hunt culprits

Scottish Sun15-07-2025
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
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
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Appeal court decision has raised questions over liabilty claims
Appeal court decision has raised questions over liabilty claims

Scotsman

time24 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

Appeal court decision has raised questions over liabilty claims

Andrew Gilmour expects further guidance will follow as cases addressing the issues proceed Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Every day, members of the public enter offices, shops, supermarkets, restaurants and gyms. An issue that has arisen of late is how the Scottish courts deal with accidents caused by the condition of something in such premises that is defective. In the case of McCormack v Fitness Limited, the Sheriff Appeal Court provided guidance on how to analyse and determine whether an occupier of premises containing defective items should be liable for such an accident. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It has long been a feature of Scots Law that in certain circumstances, the maxim res ipsa loquitor could apply to an accident. The claimant should establish that the thing which caused damage was under the defender's management and control, and that the accident was of a type that does not ordinarily occur if proper care is taken. An inference of negligence is then accepted only if the defender can offer no explanation consistent with absence of fault on their part. Andrew Gilmour is a Partner, Horwich Farrelly In McCormack, the claimant was injured by a ragged edge on the outer rim of a weight plate in a gym that cut his hand when he tried to place it onto a shoulder press machine. How the damage to the plate occurred was unknown. At first instance, the court decided that res ipsa loquitor applied to the accident circumstances and found for the injured party. The view taken was that the gym owner could not provide a reasonable explanation for how the accident occurred without negligence. The court held the gym owner had exclusive management of the premises, controlling access by way of membership and subscriptions. The owner employed staff on reception and on the gym floor. Seeking to place a weight plate onto a machine should not ordinarily cause injury to a user. There was no evidence of any inspection of the plate on the morning of the accident and no faults were recorded. However, the appeal court decided the court had erred in focusing over the control exerted over the gym premises, rather than the weight plate itself. The court was bound to consider and decide the question in this way, as if there was no control over the thing that caused the accident, then res ipsa loquitor did not apply and liability would not be established. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The court had regard to the well-established observation that the principle only applied where the incident suggests negligence on someone's part and, because of exclusive management and control in the defenders at the time when the negligence occurred, it can be presumed it was the defenders who were negligent. In this case, the free weights and shoulder press machine were not in the exclusive control of the gym. The gym was open to members of the public who had a membership or subscription to use the premises. Those members had free use of the weight plates during the course of their exercise. Therefore, the appeal court overturned the decision and absolved the gym from any liability, as the exclusive management and control over the weight plate had not been established. The decision raises questions about exclusive management and control of items in premises. Does the presence of members of the public mean that few items in the premises could be under such control? When should a claimant seek to establish a case based on a failure to take reasonable care, rather than risking establishing that res ipsa loquitor applies? A number of cases are addressing this issue and no doubt further guidance will follow.

Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants
Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants

Leader Live

time4 hours ago

  • Leader Live

Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants

Sunday saw the latest in a series of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Protesters waved union flags, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'. A 52-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. It is understood the arrest was in connection with abuse being shouted towards counter-protesters. A 53-year-old woman, also from Loughton, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest, and it is understood she was part of the protest against the use of the hotel. A 27-year-old woman from Deptford was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence, and it is understood she was part of the counter-protest. Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests. 'Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen. 'I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.' Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up To Racism, told the PA news agency that volunteer security personnel accompanied them. He added: 'We're happy to demonstrate but we're not happy to be attacked by thugs, racists and hooligans.' One man was seen being taken away from the station area by two officers, though it was not clear if he was part of any group. Members of Stand Up To Racism were seen trying to stop people from filming the protesters, as locals watched the march from their driveways. One local man was seen chanting in support of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as the march went past. He began shouting 'there's only one Tommy Robinson' when a protester approached him. One Stand Up To Racism protester chanted 'fascist scum' at him before police stepped in to ensure they would not come together. Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations. The force said that there was a ban on anyone wearing face coverings and that there were designated sites opposite the hotel for protesters. A dispersal order was in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. Both sets of protesters were kept separated by fences. Those protesting outside The Bell Hotel in Epping chose to ignore counter-demonstrators and began singing. They sang Sweet Caroline and Come On Eileen while demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism chanted: 'Nazi scum off our streets'. Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously. Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added. Essex Police said there was an 'escalation of violence' during protests on July 13, 17, 20 and 24, involving hundreds of people. The force added that officers were assaulted, missiles were thrown, vehicles were vandalised and the hotel sustained broken windows and graffiti. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August.

Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants
Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants

North Wales Chronicle

time5 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Three arrested as demo takes place outside hotel used to house migrants

Sunday saw the latest in a series of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Protesters waved union flags, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'. A 52-year-old man from Loughton was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. It is understood the arrest was in connection with abuse being shouted towards counter-protesters. A 53-year-old woman, also from Loughton, was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence connected with a previous protest, and it is understood she was part of the protest against the use of the hotel. A 27-year-old woman from Deptford was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and a public order offence, and it is understood she was part of the counter-protest. Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: 'I want to thank those who attended for the peaceful nature of both protests. 'Our role is to ensure that you can express your democratic right to protest safely and lawfully and we had a proportionate and robust plan in place to ensure that could happen. 'I am pleased that today has passed off without incident and I am grateful to our colleagues from other forces for their support.' Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up To Racism, told the PA news agency that volunteer security personnel accompanied them. He added: 'We're happy to demonstrate but we're not happy to be attacked by thugs, racists and hooligans.' One man was seen being taken away from the station area by two officers, though it was not clear if he was part of any group. Members of Stand Up To Racism were seen trying to stop people from filming the protesters, as locals watched the march from their driveways. One local man was seen chanting in support of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, as the march went past. He began shouting 'there's only one Tommy Robinson' when a protester approached him. One Stand Up To Racism protester chanted 'fascist scum' at him before police stepped in to ensure they would not come together. Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations. The force said that there was a ban on anyone wearing face coverings and that there were designated sites opposite the hotel for protesters. A dispersal order was in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. Both sets of protesters were kept separated by fences. Those protesting outside The Bell Hotel in Epping chose to ignore counter-demonstrators and began singing. They sang Sweet Caroline and Come On Eileen while demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism chanted: 'Nazi scum off our streets'. Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously. Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added. Essex Police said there was an 'escalation of violence' during protests on July 13, 17, 20 and 24, involving hundreds of people. The force added that officers were assaulted, missiles were thrown, vehicles were vandalised and the hotel sustained broken windows and graffiti. The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and will stand trial in August.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store