A shocked neighbour has told how he helped lift a child from the rubble following the horror house blast in Ayr last night – and admitted it sounded like a car had exploded.
Selfless Chris McNicol was among the first on the scene in Kincaidston's Gorse Park as thick, black smoke filled the air.
The blast could be heard and felt for miles around with a major incident declared and dozens of emergency services vehicles racing to provide assistance.
It has been confirmed by police this afternoon that a family of four are being treated in hospitals in Glasgow following the blast and that they are all in a serious condition. Investigations into what happened are continuing.
"I thought it was a car exploding," Chris said from close to the scene today.
"It was just trainers on and I'm away [to help]. We only got the kid out but it was the fire service who did the rest.
"I wouldn't say he [the child] was crying with pain, but it was the fear. We were told it wasn't safe and you don't want more people getting involved and getting injured as well."
After helping neighbours at the scene, Chris then went to work an eight-hour shift at Ayr's McDonald's.
And he was back on hand this morning to ensure friends, neighbours and loved ones were safe.
He added: "It's later on that it hits you. You see this on the news but you never think it'll happen."
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