ALMOST 30 firefighters were tackling a blaze last night at the historic Garrison House in Millport on Great Cumbrae.

The fire started in the first floor and roof of the 250-year-old building in Glasgow Street at around 7pm.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Fire Brigade said an investigation unit was due to travel to Millport last night to establish the cause of the blaze.

Five fire appliances were sent to Great Cumbrae by ferry as the island has just one engine. Caledonian MacBrayne, the ferry operators, last night said a service would be maintained until the fire was brought under control.

The Garrison once housed a museum and offices for North Ayrshire Council. It has recently fallen into disrepair and has been at the centre of a number of restoration bids.

It is thought the two-storey building was empty when the fire started.