Ayrshire's fire chief has retired after notching up 30 years in the service.

Ayrshire Area manager Jim Scott, who served as Ardrossan watch manager back in 1999, said the high flat Garnock Court blaze in Irvine that year stands out among many experiences as he knew people growing up there.

The 53-year-old grandfather of one said: “My biggest incident in Ayrshire was the multi-storey flats in Irvine. I was born and raised in Fullarton. 

“I found it a bit strange being in Ardrossan and going to Irvine. I never imagined the sight at the Pennyburn Roundabout. I just saw a big black pall of smoke. It had been a quite a severe fire.”

The inferno reached the 12th storey within 10 minutes completely destroying flats on nine floors and Jim said his training kicked in to help him cope with the conditions inside as he was among the first to reach the victim. 

Tragically resident William Linton died while four others were reportedly taken to hospital. 

Jim said: “The cladding ignited and spread up the building. You are trained for those type of environments when you get in. You never work alone. You always have somebody at your side.”

The former Irvine Royal Academy pupil feels thankful to survive some dangerous situations. He was once saved by firefighter colleagues from a blazing building.

One incident saw flames bursting through a house ceiling as he stood on it spreading up from a room below. The fire burnt through a hose his team were using. They  relied on colleagues below to quell the flames and come to their rescue.

He said: “The fire had penetrated the ceiling. The crew had to safeguard our escape.”

The dad-of-two has been the Ayrshire area manager for six years. Before that he held the post of Area Commander for Argyll and Bute with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

His career has seen him complete an MBA at Glasgow Caledonian University while working full time.

But now, Jim who lives in Ayr, intends to spend more time with family with another grandchild on the way.

It will also give him the chance to concentrate more on his passion for landscape photography.

He said: “I have spent a fair bit of my career in Ayrshire. It is nice to finish it off here.

“It has been very rewarding. It is a great organisation to work for.

“The role of the service has changed dramatically in 30 years. 

“The traditional firefighter role is still there.”

But he said it has now expanded to deal with chemical incidents, road accidents, counter terrorism and much more. 

He said: “I have been privileged and proud to be in this role. I wish my successor every success. 

“The people I have worked with have made my job easy. I have worked with a fantastic team. I will lose them as a manager but I won’t be losing friends.

“I have worked with colleagues who have sadly passed away during the service. You have a bit of regret and guilt. You are grateful you have made it through.”