Explosion at ‘ drug den’ near school
Two arrested after village house blew up
A fireball explosion from an alleged cannabis den opposite a school shook neighbouring houses.
The huge deafening blast, which blew out a window, occurred in a two- storey terrace.
One man said the emergency services told him it could have blown up the whole block.
A man, 23, and a woman, 21, were arrested after the inferno.
Police officers sealed off the house for three days as part of an investigation after firefighters battled the blaze.
A snake found inside the house was rescued by the Scottish SPCA.
It happened last Tuesday at 2.30pm in Millmannoch Avenue, Drongan. It is understood to have started in the kitchen.
A mum said: “A fireball flew out of the door and the kitchen window blew out. There was a humongous noise. It is a shock for everybody as there are kids on this street. There were loads of police.
They sealed off the road and it was complete carnage - blue and white everywhere. The police officers were there until Thursday night.” The property, which, was rented to a couple, has now been boarded up.
It is understood no- one was at home when fire crews raced to the scene. Residents said a couple rented the property.
Forensics were seen removing dozens of gas canisters from the property, which had CCTV cameras attached.
A man said: “One of the comments from the emergency services was it could have blown the whole block down. Someone told me their house shook when it happened.”
Police Inspector Colin Shearer said: “We attended at an address in Millmannoch Avenue in Drongan after a report from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service of a fire. “As a result of that two people were arrested and reported to the fiscal for drug offences.” Children at the nearby school were not evacuated during the drama.
Alan Ward, East Ayrshire Council’s head of education said: “Our immediate concern in any emergency situation is the safety of our pupils and staff.
“On this occasion, Drongan Primary School did not require evacuation during the nearby fire, as local emergency services did not consider it posed a risk to pupils, staff or the school building.
“We kept a close watching brief on developments, liaising regularly with the emergency services, who reassured us that the fire was under control and being contained.
“All of our pupils went home safely, on time and as normal.”
Scottish SPCA Inspector Jade Cumming said, “We were called out to a property in Ayrshire to remove a snake following a Police Scotland investigation.
“The snake is in good condition and in the care of one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.”
A Scottish Fire & Rescue spokesman said two appliances raced to the scene and crews made the area safe.
A 23- year- old man appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court on Friday on petition in relation to the incident.
He has been charged over the production of a drug and culpable and reckless conduct. He made no plea and was released on bail. A 21- year- old woman who was reported to the fiscal after the blaze did not appear in court. Her case is under consideration.