Police guarding property after fire tears through flat and patient rushed to hospital and arrested

A man was arrested after flames tore through a flat in a blaze which saw firefighters battling through the night to extinguish.

The 40-year-old was detained by officers after being rushed to hospital following the incident in Ardrossan, Ayrshire.

Police are currently standing guard at the block of flats in question, in the seaside town's Dalry Road.

The emergency services were called to the scene around 11pm yesterday, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

A patient was rushed to University Hospital Crosshouse, near Kilmarnock, as a result of the incident.

Multiple fire engines, firefighters, police officers and vehicles were spotted at the scene, as smoke billowed into the sky from the ground floor blaze.

This morning, a police van with an officer inside is parked outside the flat, while an officer in hi-vis uniform could be seen in the common close.

The street was cordoned off last night, while the operation was ongoing, with an officer in hi-vis uniform guarding one end of the cordon.

When asked what had happened, he replied: "There's been a fire."

When pressed for further details he replied: "There's been a fire. What do you want me to say? There's been a fire. It's a fire."

Witnesses reported hearing pops of shattering glass as if windows were exploding due to the smoke within the property.

Loud banging could also be heard, which locals believe was police and firefighters trying to force their way into the flat.

Neighbouring flats appeared to have been evacuated as the emergency services tried to bring the situation under control.

A police van with a cell was at the scene, with officers seen to be readying it as if preparing to take a suspect into custody.

An ambulance was spotted at the scene last night 

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 10.44pm on Tuesday, 31 March, to reports of a fire affecting a domestic dwelling on Dalry Road, Ardrossan.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting the ground floor of a two-storey building.

“One casualty was taken into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service. Crews have now left the scene after ensuring it was safe.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 22:59 on Tuesday 31 March to attend an incident on Dalry Road, Ardrossan.

"We dispatched an ambulance to the scene, and we transported one patient to University Hospital Crosshouse.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.15pm on Tuesday, 31 March, we received a report of a concern for person at a flat on Dalry Road in Ardrossan.

“A fire was also reported at the property and emergency services attended. The fire was put out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.  

“A 40-year-old man was taken to hospital to be checked over. He was arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”