THE leader of South Ayrshire Council has paid tribute to the emergency services for their response to the fire at the Station Hotel building in Ayr.

Martin Dowey said local authority staff were awaiting guidance from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on when it might be safe to assess the structural integrity of the building.

Emergency services were called to the scene just after 5.30pm on Monday, September 25 and remain on site.

Three youths - two aged 13 and one aged 17 - have been arrested and charged in connection with the blaze.

The scale of the damage has yet to become fully apparent, since the southern section of the building - where, photos taken at the height of the blaze on Monday night suggested, the fire appeared to be at its fiercest - remains clad in scaffolding and protective sheeting, put up as a safety measure after a 'dangerous building' notice was served in 2018.

Cllr Dowey also said it was "a priority" to get trains running to and from Ayr as soon as it's safe to do so. 

"Like many local people, I was shocked to see the devastating fire sweep through the former Ayr Station Hotel building," he said on Wednesday.

“It’s no secret that, due to the condition of the privately owned building, the council wanted to move forward with the demolition of the south wing. 

"However, our intention was to work towards preserving the tower and north wing sections, so this is a very sad outcome indeed.

“I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to the emergency services who have been on site since the fire broke out on Monday afternoon. 

"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s stellar effort to battle the blaze has meant that, thankfully, there have been no casualties.

“Emergency services are still on site and the council will await instruction from them as to when it’s safe for our building standards team to carry out an assessment of the structural integrity of the building.

“I know the fire has caused disruption to residents and businesses in the vicinity and people who rely on the rail network to travel to and from Ayr and beyond. 

"It’s a priority to work with partners to see trains running again as quickly as possible.”