AN IRVINE substation blew up after becoming flooded this week as Ayrshire was battered with severe storms.

The electrical substation in South Newmoor Industrial Estate exploded after becoming flooded by a deluge of water from the roof of an adjacent building.

Fire crews and police were among emergency services who attended the scene on Wednesday, January 7.

PC Joseph Murdoch from Irvine Police told the Times: “Police were called to South Newmoor Industrial Estate on Wednesday, January 7 at around 5.23pm to deal with an electrical substation which had blown up due to flooding from a deluge of water which had fallen from an adjacent building.

“Crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were also in attendance.

“No one was hurt and the incident was accidental.” Station Manager Derek Davidson said: “Two fire appliances from Dreghorn Fire Station attended reports of an explosion within a high voltage electrical sub-station in the early evening of Wednesday, January 7.

“Firefighting anywhere there is high voltage electricity is extremely hazardous and as such Incident Commander Andy Vallance requested that Scottish Power confirm isolation of the sub-station before any action could be taken by our operational crews.

“Once that task had been completed the personnel used a High Expansion Foam Firefighting Branch to extinguish the flames fully before checking for any signs of fire spread to other areas.

“I would urge members of the public to maintain a safe distance from all high voltage electrical apparatus at all times and contact the emergency services and utility companies if you see anything untoward at such sites.” The weather caused further chaos across North Ayrshire last week with all trains being cancelled as well as flooding and high wind alerts.

Winds of more than 80mph ripped through Irvine and Kilwinning causing untold damage to properties and businesses.