Fire in built environment

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received 303 emergency calls as bonfires were lit for the traditional Eleventh Night celebrations in unionist areas.In one incident firefighters withdrew from a fire in the Cookstown area due to what NIFRS said was a hostile crowd.In Belfast, the fire service dealt with a fire that had spread to a garage on Milner Street.NIFRS said that overall firefighters attended 151 operational incidents and 54 of these were bonfire related.NIFRS Area Commander Dermot Rooney said: "Operational activity was consistently high across the 11th night with an increase in demand for emergency response."In Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Firefighters dealt with a row of terraced houses on fire, along with two oil tanks and a shed."Two homes were completely destroyed with damage caused to a further two properties. The cause of the fire is under investigation."Mr Rooney said that firefighters also responded to other incidents across the night, including accidental house fires in Antrim and Coleraine and an articulated lorry fire in Newry."With further bonfires planned, we are prepared and ready to respond to all types of emergencies", he said.
"We would encourage everyone to stay safe and make responsible choices throughout the remainder of the bank holiday weekend.
"With warm, dry weather continuing, we also ask anyone spending time outdoors to follow our countryside fire safety advice," he added.