Firefighters are currently at the scene.

Flames billow into the sky after ripping through a building as firefighters battle to bring the blaze under control. Witnesses say residents were evacuated amid the fire.

The incident is still ongoing after the building caught light earlier this evening. Firefighters raced to the building, in High Street, Ayr, just after 8pm after receiving a call from a member of the public.

Pictures sent to the Daily Record show a number of firefighters at the scene, which is at the bottom of the high street in the Ayrshire seaside town, close to the River Ayr.

The images show fierce orange flames inside the building, which can be seen through the windows, and bright orange flames coming from the roof.

The flames billow into the sky along with smoke as firefighters try and bring the blaze under control. One eyewitness said they saw residents evacuated amid the drama, which appears to centre on the town’s Riverside Studios building.

Riverside Studios was an enterprise business which closed down last year. The local said: “Around a dozen people were evacuated from the building, who knows where they’ll be spending the night.

“The fire is really bad, I don’t think there’s any chance they’ll be able to return to their flats. I think this will have made them homeless, which obviously gives them a major headache to deal with.

“Over and above the trauma of being evacuated in the fire, they now have to deal with that. But it could’ve been so much worse. What’s happened is tragic, but at least nobody was hurt.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We received the first call at 8.01pm this evening from a member of the public. We currently have five appliances on the scene.

“It is a building fire and a large scale incident. There are no people involved.” The Daily Record also contacted Police Scotland for comment on the blaze.

Riverside Studios closed dwn last year. A post on the body’s Facebook page read: “It is with sadness that i have to announce the closure of our business at Riverside Studios Ayr. Unfortunately we didn’t survive the COVID lockdowns.

“I would like to thank all our gorgeous artists, Artwork by Marly, wee Jen Breas Jewellery , Crystal Provan Glassworks, Sanny Campbell Woodcarving, Aimee Fury Seamstress & Stephen SNY Photography.

“Our yoga teacher Courtney Fisher Yoga & Pilates, our singing teacher Abby Watson Collins. Also our wonderful staff Sophie S & Sophie R.

“We were only able to survive with the fantastic support of our local community, including Southcraig Special School who came to us weekly and Open Studios Ayrshire, who utilised our premises for meetings monthly.

“I would like to thank Trevor for helping us source some unusual materials as well as allowing us to help his charity by collecting and donating from our shop.

“We will all miss our regular customers and the boys next door (Gary & Clark) and the lovely Sandra from Pollock Williamson Butchers who have supported us from the day we moved in.

“We thank you all and wish you all the very best of luck for the future. I have listed items from our shop for sale before i close our FB page. Please get in touch if you wish to buy anything here. Lots of Love, Ali.”

The page said: “Moving Arts Scotland CiC’s objective is to address loneliness, isolation, mental health, physical disabilities and we work with partners and stakeholders to provide skills training projects throughout Ayrshire.”