(AP) - A fire at chemical plant in Scotland on Saturday sent flames shooting 100 feet ( 30 meters) in the air, according to officials and witnesses. The blaze broke out at the chemical plant, in Ayrshire, 40 miles ( 65 kilometers ) south of Glasgow around 8:30 p.m. (1930 GMT), Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said. It was not immediately known whether anyone was inside. "The flames were shooting up into the sky, and when we looked out of the window we saw the red glow against the houses," said James Smith, 54, who lives about a half-mile ( 800 meters) from the scene of the fire. "It was as if the sun was shining," he said, adding the fire appeared to die down quickly. Strathclyde Police said it would not be necessary for nearby residents to evacuate.