Home / Disasters and Accidents / Northern Ireland Bonfires Spark Emergency Response
Northern Ireland Bonfires Spark Emergency Response
12 Jul
Summary
- Firefighters responded to 151 incidents from Saturday evening to Sunday morning.
- Fifty-four calls were related to bonfires, with one encountered by a hostile crowd.
- A separate fire destroyed two homes and damaged two others in Greenisland.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) managed a demanding period, responding to 151 operational incidents following 303 emergency calls received between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. This surge in activity coincided with the lighting of bonfires ahead of the Orange Order's Twelfth of July parades.
Bonfires were a significant concern, accounting for 54 of the emergency calls. In Cookstown, County Tyrone, firefighters encountered a challenging situation when they had to withdraw from a bonfire due to a hostile crowd. This incident highlights the risks faced by emergency personnel during such events.
Separately, in Greenisland, Carrickfergus, a severe fire erupted involving a row of terraced houses, two oil tanks, and a shed. The blaze resulted in the complete destruction of two homes, with damage extending to two additional properties. The cause of this destructive fire is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.
