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Belfast apartment block residents tell of bonfire 'night of hell'

The scene from inside an apartment complex beside the Sandy Row bonfire
The scene from inside an apartment complex beside the Sandy Row bonfire The scene from inside an apartment complex beside the Sandy Row bonfire

A TOWERING bonfire in full blaze toppled towards a block of flats in central Belfast as shocked residents looked on from inside the building.

The dramatic scene happened near Sandy Row during a demanding Eleventh Night for firefighters that saw them tackle 40 bonfire-related incidents across the north.

Crews stopped the fire spreading to the apartment block on Wellwood Street but the heat caused windows along the face of the building to crack.

However, the Fire Service came under attack as bottles were thrown at one of its appliances when it was leaving the area.

Part of the street was closed off yesterday due to safety concerns over the damaged building.

Residents at the Victoria Place complex called for an end to the bonfire being built beside their homes.

Speaking to The Irish News, one resident who has lived there for several years branded it an annual "night of hell".

The 30-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said the "damage this year is more than any other".

"The bonfire seemed to be slightly closer this year and collapsed towards the building," he said.

A wheelchair burned on the Sandy Row bonfire in Belfast city centre. Picture by Bill Smyth
A wheelchair burned on the Sandy Row bonfire in Belfast city centre. Picture by Bill Smyth A wheelchair burned on the Sandy Row bonfire in Belfast city centre. Picture by Bill Smyth

"Normally in one or two apartments the glass gets damaged but this year it's pretty much everything on that side of the building."

The man, who left his flat to stay with relatives overnight, added: "It's horrific that my neighbours had to have their homes filled with smoke from a bonfire."

Several residents who were inside the flats called the Fire Service amid fears about the heat.

Assistant chief fire officer Alan Walmsley said glazing on the apartment block was badly damaged and cracked.

Sandy Row bonfire site in central Belfast
Sandy Row bonfire site in central Belfast Sandy Row bonfire site in central Belfast

"If our crews had not been on the scene working so hard, there is no doubt that fire would have spread into that building," he said.

The Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) described the night as "exceptionally busy", with crews dealing with 95 operational incidents between 10pm and 1am.

The number of bonfire-related incidents was up 21 per cent on last year. Crews also received 213 emergency calls in total and mobilised to 133 incidents overall – a 49 per cent hike on 2016.

During the most intense period, the NIFRS regional control centre handled a 999 call every minute.

Homes had been boarded up at a number of bonfire sites amid concerns around safety and risk to property.

Sandy Row bonfire site in central Belfast. Picture by Bill Smyth
Sandy Row bonfire site in central Belfast. Picture by Bill Smyth Sandy Row bonfire site in central Belfast. Picture by Bill Smyth

Firefighters also doused at-risk buildings with water in an effort to keep them cool as the fires raged nearby.

Mr Walmsley told the BBC how crews in Larne and at Wellwood Street in Belfast came under attack after working hard to protect properties – the first attacks on firefighters at Eleventh Night bonfires for five years.

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said he was "extremely disappointed" by the attacks.

"It is regrettable that those tasked with ensuring the safety of everyone had the additional pressures of dealing with this type of behaviour. Those involved should recognise the impact their actions could have had," he said.

Firefighters dampen homes near a bonfire at Ravenscroft Avenue/Bloomfield Walkway in east Belfast. Picture by PA Wire
Firefighters dampen homes near a bonfire at Ravenscroft Avenue/Bloomfield Walkway in east Belfast. Picture by PA Wire Firefighters dampen homes near a bonfire at Ravenscroft Avenue/Bloomfield Walkway in east Belfast. Picture by PA Wire

Meanwhile, police are investigating after an 18-year-old woman was punched in the face by a man at a bonfire in Larne.

It happened in the Craigyhill area at about 12.30am. The woman received hospital treatment for an injury to her jaw which is not believed to be serious.

The PSNI said a total of six people were arrested on Tuesday night for disorder associated with bonfires.