Horror fire that ripped through stores in Scots town centre treated as wilful as cops hunt culprits
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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.
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A four-storey building was set on fire last night
Credit: PA
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Crews raced to the burning building in Kilmarnock last night
Credit: PA
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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.
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'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.
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Six appliances and two specialist appliances were deployed to the scene
Credit: Alamy
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Officers received reports of the blaze at around 9.30pm
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