CUTS COULD COST LIVES NEXT TIME

Two teens arrested over Ayr inferno as FBU boss says it left service dangerously short

- CHRIS McCALL

A BLAZE that devastated an historic landmark has highlighted the "madness" of cuts to the fire brigade, a trade union has warned.

Emergency services remained at the former Station Hotel in Ayr yesterday after flames swept the derelict Victorian building on Monday evening.

The inferno quickly spread through the structure and caused rail services from Stranraer to Glasgow via Ayr to grind to a halt. Two male youths, aged 17 and 13, have been arrested and charged in connection with the massive blaze.