RESIDENTS have been left in fear after bonfire material was set on fire at the back of their homes in north Belfast.
A woman has told how her mother-in-law is "shocked and in bits" after she was forced to leave her home in the New Lodge area when the fire started to take hold nearby.
Jean McMahon (77) was rushed from her home in Pinkerton Walk on Sunday as fire-fighters dealt with the blaze within metres of her home, which left windows at the back of her house cracked by the heat of the fire.
Pallets had been piled close to her home for an internment bonfire, in August but were set alight at around 1.30pm. It is understood youths have been involved in anti-social behaviour in the area in recent weeks.
The location of the fire is overlooked by the high-rise Grainne House as well as a number of smaller properties.
Joanne McMahon said her mother-in-law has been left in fear following the fire.
"The material has been stored right behind her house, just over the back wall," she said.
"They have been storing it there for ages, pallets and any kind of wood.
"On Sunday, two boys rapped her front door and told her there was a fire at the back of her house, she went into a real panic and the fire brigade arrived and took her out.
"She was shocked and in bits. The windows at the back of her house are all cracked and there's a smell of smoke.
"But it's the thought of what could have happened if it had of spread further, it could have been like that Grenfell Tower tragedy, it just doesn't bear thinking about."
Ms McMahon said they have previously raised concerns about the pallets being stored in the area.
"This is the third year they have stored the wood here, but this year is the worst," she said.
"And about 10 minutes after the fire was over, there were people coming down again with more wood, bringing it down in a trolley. We have tried to fight this for the past three years, but nobody has done anything.
"This is her home of 50 years, she reared her family here, but she's so unsettled now."
A Housing Executive spokeswoman said: "Youths at this location ignited combustible material at the rear of commercial premises which is on Housing Executive land.
"We previously erected fencing at this site in an effort to discourage dumping, however this fencing has been damaged.
"On two occasions in recent weeks, our contractors attempted to remove this material, but they were subjected to intimidation and threats of violence.
"On two previous occasions, our contractors had successfully removed material from this area and this approach will continue, given the level of community support for this action in this area."
