Four in hospital after explosion destroys homes in Ayr

At least one house was completely destroyed in the blast

Two adults and two children have been taken to hospital after an explosion at a South Ayrshire housing estate.

Police say four homes were caught up in the blast in Ayr. Witnesses said at least one terraced house was destroyed, with those on either side of the property severely damaged.

The explosion was reported in the Kincaidston area at 19:10 on Monday and was heard for miles around.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast.

Scottish Gas Networks said it was ensuring the site around the "serious explosion" was made safe.

Emergency crews were called to the scene just after 19:00 on Monday

Local councillor Chris Cullen told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that the explosion in Gorse Park was caused by gas.

Asked to describe the scene, Mr Cullen said: "It is quite harrowing actually.

"Early yesterday evening there was a row of houses and now there is a hole."

Mr Cullen also told the programme that if the gas from the affected properties could not be capped, then it could be days before people were allowed to return to their homes.

The area around the explosion was covered with debris

A car parked in a nearby street was among the vehicles damaged by flying debris

The area was evacuated, with two local rest centres set up to provide shelter to those that needed it.

The fire service said nine appliances and specialist resources, including an air ambulance, attended the incident.

A man who lives about 100m from the explosion site told the BBC that his whole house shook with the force of the blast.

Kerr McCann was one of the first on the scene. He was arriving home when saw a "massive plume of fire" in the sky over the street.

He said: "Immediately after I felt a big bang, I knew it was an explosion. I was in the army so I know what explosions are.

"I ran up, about a quarter of a mile away... There was fire in the back garden and pretty much in where the house was.

"The house was not where it was, it was scattered about the street."

Mr McCann said he and other people who had run to help were removed from the area for their own safety shortly after.

He added: "The whole house has disappeared, the gable end of the other house is opened up and there's cars with windows put in from the shrapnel.

"Passing the shop on the way back I heard people saying stuff came off the shelves from the explosion."

Caroline Finnett's street was littered with broken roof tiles

Caroline Finnett, who lives in Kincaidston, was playing bingo at a friend's house when she heard a "massive bang".

She heard sirens and saw smoke billowing, so made her way back home. Her street was littered with broken roof tiles.

She told BBC Scotland: "We walked up to where the house has been blown away, and it was horrendous - was like something from a movie set. It was overwhelming.

"The house's gone."

Ms Finnett then took hot food to the community centre where those affected are sheltering, and offered up her spare room to anyone who needed it.

At the scene: BBC Scotland reporter Martyn Smedley

We are at the entrance to the Kincaidston estate which, at the moment, is as far as we are allowed to go.

Local residents are being allowed in and out of the area.

Police say that investigations into the explosion are ongoing and there has been a sizeable presence from Scottish Gas Networks here.

There is a lot of chat on social media, which we have not been able to verify, that it was a gas explosion.

There is work going on to make sure that people can return to their homes and still have heating while the gas to the area affected by the explosion is sealed off to prevents any further danger.

But police did tell us earlier this morning that the area still isn't 100% safe.

Homes nearby were evacuated and the area showered with debris following the blast

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Four houses have been affected by the explosion.

"Two adults and two children have been taken to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.

"A number of premises have been evacuated and two local rest centres have been set up to assist.

"Local road closures are in place and we would advise people to avoid the area at the present time."

A spokesman for Scottish Gas Networks said: "At around 20:00 tonight we received a request to assist the emergency services following the reports of a serious explosion in Gorse Park, Ayr.

"Our engineers are currently assisting the emergency services to ensure the immediate vicinity is made safe in our role as the gas emergency service."

Community appeals have been started for food and drink supplies for those staying at the rest centres.

Businesses have been offering meals and the nearby Sundrum holiday caravan park offered accommodation for anybody who needed it.

Glazing firms and several joiners pledged to help residents secure their properties.

On Tuesday morning South Ayrshire Council said the response from the local community had been overwhelming.

It tweeted: "Thank you all so much for your generosity following the incident in Kincaidston last night. We have everything we need. Please stop bringing donations now."