LOCAL firefighters rushed to a block of flats in Stevenston last week after reports of people trapped inside - as a fire took hold. 

Fire crews from Ayr, Kilwinning and Ardrossan attended the fire in Stevenston's Morrison Court where it was reported people were trapped in the building.

The incident occurred at just before 6pm on Thursday evening.

There was a fire in the ground floor corridor of a five storey maisonette flatted property which resulted in smoke logging of a large percentage of the building.

Station Manager, Derek Davidson, said: “As the fire took place in a common area, smoke logged the entire staircase to all floors of the building which could have blocked the egress of anyone who may have been trying to escape from the fire. At the height of the incident, six breathing apparatus wearers and two high-pressure hose reel jets were in use extinguishing the blaze and carrying out a search of all floors for casualties.”

Mr Davidson added: “I would urge all householders in flats to ensure there is no refuse or storage of goods in the common areas as it can be a target for wilful fire-raising which in turn would put the lives of those within the property at risk.”