EMERGENCY crews were called to Irvine Beach to battle a blaze at the popular beauty spot.
One fire service appliance was sent to the area on Monday evening, May 12, after they were alerted to a "fire in the open".
Images showed flames and smoke engulfing areas around the sand dunes while large crowds flocked to the beach on what was one of the hottest days of the year.
Eyewitnesses state that both Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were called to deal with the matter.
The fire was extinguished shortly after firefighters attended and has since been made safe by the emergency service.
A spokesperson for the SFRS said: "We were alerted at 7.20pm on Monday, May 12 to a fire in the open on Harbour Road, Irvine.
“Operations control mobilised one appliance to the scene where crews extinguished the fire.
"Firefighters left the scene at 8pm after ensuring the area was made safe.”
The scenes were branded "absolutely shocking" by some locals, though Police Scotland say the incident is not being treated as wilful.
A force spokesperson said: “Around 6.30pm on Monday, May 12, 2025, we were called to a report of a fire on the beach at Irvine.
“The fire was put out by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and there were no reported injuries.
“No criminality was established.”
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