THE male toilet at the public facilities on The Braes in Saltcoats remains closed after a fire at the building this week.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were in attendance, with two appliances used to tackle a blaze on Monday evening.

The service responded following reports of smoke billowing from the toilet block, between the Nonsuch Bar and Lounge and Aldi.

The fire was then extinguished, and the area was made safe, before the firefighters vacated the scene.

There were no reported casualties from the incident.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 7.10pm on Monday, November 7, to reports of smoke coming from a public toilet at The Braes, Saltcoats.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances and firefighters extinguished the fire.

“There were no reported casualties and crews left after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Although there were no casualties, Saltcoats councillor Jean McClung said she was deeply concerned by the incident - which she said was believed to have been started deliberately.

Speaking on the morning following the fire, Cllr McClung said: "We understand that the fire was started deliberately by igniting a toilet roll.

"Thankfully, no-one was hurt, and the indications are that there is no significant fire damage.

"However, the smoke damage is extensive within the male toilets.

"I really can’t understand the mentality of the people who would do this. Don’t they understand that it is the ordinary council tax payer who ends up paying for their inane behaviour?"

The male toilet remains closed at The Braes at the time of writing, November 10, though the female and accessible toilets remain open at the regular times.

This also sparked an outcry amongst locals.

One commented: "This is awful. Soon there won’t be any public toilets."

While another added: "Disgusting behaviour, and such a waste of now rare amenities and resources. And really sad that that's all they've got to do with their time."