A FIRE at a block of flats which saw a young woman trapped is the latest in a long line of antisocial and frightening incidents alleged by residents of an Ardrossan street.

Fed up residents of Kilmahew Street report that they have been terrorised by thuggish tenants who throw all-night parties, leave empty bottles and needles around and intimidate neighbours.

In the early hours of Monday, August 15, the property caught fire and a young woman asleep upstairs had a lucky escape.

The resident, who was still visibly shaken days after the incident when she spoke to the Herald, said: “My nerves are shot to pieces. Every noise I hear, I jump. I was on the phone to my friend for two-and-a-half hours the other night because I was too scared to hang up and be on my own. 

“I suffer from high blood pressure. On the night of the fire the ambulance helped me and they recorded my BP at 188 over 140, which is classed as a hypertensive emergency. It’s dangerously high and means you are at an extremely high risk of a heart attack or a stroke. 

“Once all the adrenalin had worn off and shock started to set in, I felt unwell again and went to A&E to get checked. 

“I was asleep during the fire when I heard the firemen pressing my buzzer over and over again. I had no comprehension about what was going on because I was half asleep. I opened the door and it was just all smoke. My eyes started watering and I couldn’t stop coughing. I can’t really remember much but I remember looking down and seeing the firemen’s lights and everything being grey in front of me.

“I got dropped off by a friend at midnight on Sunday night a few hours before the fire and we both saw someone standing at the window of the flat where the fire broke out.

“I walked up the stairs and I heard a shuffling and keys in the door. Whoever was in that flat saw me and would have known that I was in the flat above and would possibly be asleep in it soon, yet they were all out in the lane later on watching the fire and laughing. They must have known I was in there. That’s the thing that has really got to me most.

“I’m a completely paranoid, nervous wreck. I can’t settle.Surely every tenant should have the right to feel secure in their tenancy?

“I might have to find a private let which I can’t afford because they’re not willing to help me in the council. When the housing officer came to the door after the fire, she asked if there was any damage to the property. She didn’t even ask how I was. I can’t continue to live like this. It’s terrible.”

A mum who lives in Kilmahew Street told the Herald that she had been complaining for “months and months” about the “nuisance neighbours”. 

She said: “It’s been constant fighting and drinking and there are needles lying about. I’ve got young kids and there are quite a few kids in the street so it’s a real worry. 

“We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve called the police. We’ve all had enough.”

Several people living in Kilmahew Street have told the Herald that revellers going to the parties often climb wheelie bins, jump up onto the balcony and smash the windows to get in. We’ve also heard reports of doors being kicked in at the property and of threatening behaviour. 

One sickened resident told the Herald that she no longer feels safe in her house after she caught two young women climbing over her 6ft garden fence. The intruders left when the resident threatened to call police. 

The resident said: “We’ve found needles and my friend’s wee boy, who is only seven, picked one up. My neighbour’s wee boys look across the street now to check there are no ‘bad boys’ outside before they go and play. It’s a disgrace. 

“It used to be a great wee street but now I don’t feel safe.”

A spokesman from Fire Scotland said that crews were at the scene in less than five minutes of receiving a 999 call. 

He added: “An ambulance was requested from a resident from a nearby flat who appeared to be suffering from the affects of smoke inhalation. The resident was treated at the scene and didn’t require hospital treatment. The incident has been passed to Police Scotland.”

North Ayrshire Council confirmed that they had received complaints about the tenants but stressed that serious cases of antisocial behaviour are dealt with by the authority’s Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team (ASBIT), who work closely with police, and not the housing officer. 

A spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on individual cases, however, we can confirm we have received complaints of antisocial behaviour in Kilmahew Street.

“Generally speaking, the majority of complaints can be dealt with quickly by a series of warnings, however, if the antisocial behaviour continues and warnings are ignored, then North Ayrshire Council can ask the court to grant an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO). In a minority of very serious cases, the offender could be evicted.

“If any member of the public witnesses criminal behaviour, then we would ask them to contact Police Scotland or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”