Man's body found at abandoned Scots explosives factory as police launch probe

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A man has been found dead at a former explosives factory. The body of the man, who has yet to be identified, was found in the Ardeer area of Stevenston, Ayrshire, this afternoon.

Police Scotland has now launched a probe to find out who he is and how he died. It's understood he was found within Africa House, which was previously known as the South Africa Pavilion.It is a category B listed building which was designed by James Miller, or his son George, for the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow.It was originally a temporary structure built to house an exhibit of South African goods but after the exhibition was purchased by ICI Nobel.The company transported the structure to the explosives manufacturing plant and it was re-erected.Some decorative features were omitted and it was used as a kitchen and canteen for the company's staff.A two-storey concrete-framed extension was added to the structure in the 1960s.The canteen closed in 1994 and ICI Nobel left the Ardeer site in the mid 2000s.The plant had specialised in nitrogen-based propellants and explosives and nitrocellulose-based products like varnish and ink.The site was purchased by Clowes Developments in 2006 but little work has been carried out since.The company was criticised for neglecting Africa House which suffered a partial roof collapse.In 2021 the developer applied for permission to demolish the structure on account of its condition.One local said: "There old ICI was swarming with police on Saturday afternoon."There were officers and vehicles everywhere."The man's body was apparently found within Africa House."It's such a shame for him and his family, whoever he is and whatever it is that happened to him."A Police Spokesperson said: "Around 4.30pm, police