Fire burns through Celtic supporters' club and forces shopping centre to close

A large fire has ripped through a Celtic supporters’ club and forced a shopping centre to close in North Ayrshire.

Emergency services were called to Low Green Road, Irvine, at around 11.30pm on Monday.

The blaze damaged the old Forum shopping centre and forced the neighbouring Rivergate Shopping Centre to shut.

A Celtic supporters’ club based in the old Forum has been partially destroyed, according to local reports.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.34pm on Monday, February 2, to reports of a building on fire at Low Green Road, Irvine.

“Operations Control mobilised six fire appliances and two height vehicles to the area and firefighters are working to extinguish a fire affecting a commercial building.

“There are no reported casualties and three fire appliances and one height vehicle currently remain at the scene.”

A social media post for the Rivergate Centre urged any locals to avoid the area.

It read: “Due to a fire at the Forum last night, the centre is currently closed.

“There is currently no access through the Rivergate and all stores will remain closed at the moment, with the exception of the Asda and outside Greggs unit who will be able to open as normal.

“If you usually walk through the centre to reach the train station or nearby offices, please find an alternative route this morning.”