Firefighters rushed to attend an early morning blaze in Largs at the site where the new M&S Foodhall is to be built.
Largs fire crews responded to a report of a blaze in a disused building at the site in the early hours of Tuesday.
Witnesses stated that they could hear loud noises coming from the area.
Fire crews arrived at 3.45am, and attended for around two and half hours, according to local reports.
A nearby resident told the News: "The fire engines woke me up and they were there for about two and half hours. That was from the firemen accessing the water points in the street to attach the hoses.
"Full praise to the the firemen who were there quickly, and it was kept well handled and didn't go up in full."
The store was originally expected to open this summer, though the company later revised that to December, and then spring of 2024.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 3.26am on Tuesday, 26 September, to reports of a building fire on Waterside Street, Largs.
"Operations Control mobilised three appliances to the scene to extinguish the fire affecting a derelict commercial building.
"No casualties were reported, and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”
Largs Police have confirmed that they are investigating the matter.
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