Four people have been taken to hospital following a large explosion at a house in Ayr.
Residents have been evacuated from the area around the site of the blast in Kincaidston.
An air ambulance was called out as part of the response to the incident.
Emergency services have been combing through the debris of an explosion at a house in Ayr which was heard for miles around.
Police Scotland said that dozens of officers and fire crews were were called to the property the town's Gorse Park after the blast was reported just after 7pm.
Pictures from the scene show debris scattered over a wide area, with the damage centred on a terraced house and a neighboring property.
The house was badly damaged
The explosion appeared to have occured in the dwelling, destroying its roof and outer structure.
READ MORE: Pictures show devestation at scene at Gorse Park
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 7.16pm to attend an incident at Gorse Park, Ayr, alongside Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“We dispatched a number of resources to the scene, including three specialist operations vehicles, six ambulances and an air ambulance.
“Three patients were transported by road to Crosshouse hospital.”
A spokesman for gas distribution company SGN said they were helping emergency services.
He said: “At around 8pm 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.”
It is understood a number of residents have been evacuated from houses near the site of the explosion, with some being given shelter at the nearby Queen Margaret Academy.
The Kincaidston Community Centre and St Columba Church also opened their doors for those who needed help.
at scene of explosion in Kincaidston, situation is ongoing, many people displaced as large area of Trefoil Place blocked off pic.twitter.com/KDQbeoqsAT
— Jennifer M Jones (@jennifermjones) October 18, 2021
Eyewitness reports said the loud explosion was heard up to several miles away.
Yikes. Middle of Council Estate. Ayr. 46 minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/SjMtbqwX1j
— Lorna (for Indy) MacGillivray Johnston (@Elemjay1) October 18, 2021
Police Scotland said on Twitter: "Around 7.10pm on Monday, 18 October, emergency services were called to a report of an explosion on Gorse Park, Ayr.
"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.
"Emergency services are currently at the scene working with other agencies.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the explosion."
Local road closures are in place and we would advise people to avoid the area at the present time.
Pray for the people of Kincaidston in Ayr . 2 homes devastated in explosion pic.twitter.com/qcYGfXeHnG
— Matt Legalise Squirrels 💙 (@MattSquirrels) October 18, 2021
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 7.11pm on Monday, October 18 to reports of a dwelling fire in Gorse Park, Ayr.
“Operations control mobilised nine appliances and specialist resources to the scene and firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.
“Crews currently remain in attendance and are assisting emergency service partners.”
We are currently in attendance following a report of an explosion at a property on Gorse Park in Ayr shortly after 7.10pm on Monday, 18 October.
— Ayrshire Police (@AyrshirePolice) October 18, 2021
Emergency services are currently at the scene and we would advise people to avoid the area at the present time. pic.twitter.com/IuV4p9z3JY
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