The Station Hotel in Ayr has had an arson attack.
And despite there being 13 fire engines there, the plastic cover prevented the firemen from doing their job properly.
It was a beautiful old building which had been standing empty, like a Marie Celeste...there is a YouTube video of the inside, standing as people left it.
Tables laid, the gym in the basement waiting......
It has had two owners from south east Asia (I think) who have done nothing to it. All the council did about three or four years ago was put the plastic cover over in case bits fell off. No compulsory purchase order....
It could have been an asset to the town and had recently been surveyed for an association called SAVE, which found that it wasn't in as bad condition as had been feared.
And who has been arrested? Two 13 year olds and a 17 year old.....
Not so long ago the council owned Bellisle House went up in flames...
It looks like anything worth keeping here is being destroyed one way or another.
Sad on so many levels
ReplyDeleteCuttings and beautiful card received today - many thanks :) Will let you know of progress
ReplyDeleteIt is sad when teenagers have nothing better than this to do with their time.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad. Our Old Town Hall (used to house various charities) had a fire several years ago and has been covered in similar plastic. It is finally being restored. Of course a lot of people say it should be demolished and the money used elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThe post industrial town I work in is one of degradation and poverty and so many of the once beautiful buildings have succumbed to and are still being targeted by arsonists. And those that are caught? usually all under the age of 18. Sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, on many levels.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. Why is the need to destroy so strong in some kids?
ReplyDeleteSo very depressing. I sometimes wonder what folk are thinking about doing such things - but I suspect there is usually money involved somewhere.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. I hope the building can be restored.
ReplyDeleteDave I have the fear that probably it won't be now..at least the southern taller end on the left of the picture.
ReplyDeleteThis is what the council had been pushing to demolish anyway....we will see what the next survey says.
It would be interesting to know the opinion of the overseas owner..
What a shame! Almost as terrible as the iconic tree that some teenager cut down at Hadrian's Wall a few days ago. What are these kids thinking?!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad thing to happen....as history is becoming less respected these days (in my opinion, as a crone who hold some of history in my brain)
ReplyDeleteSteve a 60 year old has now been arrested and the 16 year old is out on bail...that is beginning to sound more plausible.
ReplyDeleteNo news about our local fire raisers
Your blog labels say it well: "beauty, life, loss"--ain't that the way of it...
ReplyDeletesad that some folk don't value these places and that they can't be better protected. Betty
ReplyDelete