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No fatalities after house explosion in Ayr, with four taken to hospital, including two children

Four people have been taken to hospital following an explosion at a housing estate in the Scottish town of Ayr.

Residents have been evacuated from the Kincaidston area, near the site of the blast on Monday night.

Some Twitter users said they heard the explosion from miles away.

Pictures circulating on social media showed at least one house had been badly damaged, with debris spread across the street.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We received a report of an explosion at a property on Gorse Park in Ayr shortly after 7.10pm on Monday, 18 October.

"Emergency services are currently at the scene."

Police added that four houses were affected by the explosion and four people were taken to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.

"A number of premises have been evacuated and two local rest centres have been set up to assist," the force added.

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An air ambulance was dispatched in response to the incident.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We received a call at 7.16pm to attend an incident at Gorse Park, Ayr, alongside Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

"We dispatched a number of resources to the scene, including three specialist operations vehicles, six ambulances and an air ambulance."

Gas distribution company SGN said they were helping emergency services.

Evacuated residents have been given shelter at the nearby Queen Margaret Academy, while the Kincaidston Community Centre also said it was open for those who needed help.

Police have advised people to avoid the area.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We were alerted at 7.11pm on Monday, 18 October to reports of a dwelling fire in Gorse Park, Ayr.

"Operations control mobilised nine appliances and specialist resources to the scene and firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.

"Crews currently remain in attendance and are assisting emergency service partners."

One Twitter user said they were walking their dog when they heard "the loudest bang ever" just after 7pm.

Another said that local churches and businesses are "opening their doors to those who have been evacuated".

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