Kincaidston blast: The morning after the Ayr explosion

A 43-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy are currently within the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. A 47-year-old man is in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. A boy, 11, is within the Royal Hospital for Children.

Police received a report of an explosion on Gorse Park in the Kincaidston area of Ayr around 7.10pm on Monday, October 18.

At first dawn around 8am, the aftermath of the blast that injured the family of four became apparent.

Primrose Park is a short walk from Gorse Park, where the blast happened. 

Residents - who use the cul-de-sac street as a shared parking area - woke this morning to damage and rubble to their cars and vehicles. 

The street was strewn with heavy roof tiles, rocks and paper, and even birthday cards and other household items blown out from the blast. 

A white Audi estate car was seen to have broken windscreen from the impact of rubble, with the bonnet cut open 'like a tin can.'

The owner told me that he usually parks his car further down, using the parking spot for his work van which was not impacted. 

As we spoke, he checked the inside of the car for debris, as the roof and the side of the car had been damaged beyond repair. 

As the morning started to lighten, those who lived near began to appear to assess the damage and to begin the clean up.

Those who chose to stay in their homes as they were not within the police cordon, spoke of how the windows in their house shook like a 'sonic boom' as the glass shook.

One resident showed me the damage to his car, and then invited me to look at the slates that had landed in his garden. To the side of his home, the police tape began. 

He was able to stay in his own home last night - however - those who live within the cordon are still awaiting their fate. 

Speaking at a joint press conference at the scene this afternoon, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander, Ian McMeekin, told reporters that he could not say nor give a time line for when residents who lived within the scene would be able to return to their homes. 

One man, who wished to remain anonoymus, told me that he'd spent the night on a friend's couch and was not allowed to return to his flat as it fell within the cordon. He was waiting to find out what he was able to do and seeking help from community response. 

Until then, South Ayrshire Council are working with volunteers to ensure the residents affected have access to facilities. 

In a statement issued at 11am today, a spokesperson for the local authority said: "The Council is grateful for the support of the community but would ask people at this stage to stop dropping off material support at Queen Margaret Academy. We will clarify in due course if any support is needed and how people can contribute. 

"At the moment, the Council is working with emergency services to determine who will be able to return to their house and who will not due to ongoing building safety concerns. 

"We are working to establish a reception centre in the area for anyone returning who stayed with friends or relatives as well as those who were accommodated overnight in a local hotel. 

"Our aim is to get people back home as soon as possible but we can only do this once we are confident properties are safe. Once we know who may still require accommodation, our housing teams will work with residents to support them. 

"As soon as we are clear where the inner cordon lies we will start the clear up operation which requires to be done with sensitivity due to personal effects being included among general debris.  

"Council staff are at the Mercure Hotel working with those accommodated there. Anyone else affected can contact the Council at 0300 123 0900. 

"Meetings are taking place this morning on a number of issues that require immediate attention and further updates will follow these meetings."

You can find out the latest news and updates on the situation at Kincaidston by following the Ayr Advertiser live blog.