Northern Ireland

Does east Belfast's divisive Avoniel bonfire 'meet guidelines'?

Avoniel bonfire, and inset, a map estimating the 'safe space' around the pyre based on fire service guidelines
Avoniel bonfire, and inset, a map estimating the 'safe space' around the pyre based on fire service guidelines Avoniel bonfire, and inset, a map estimating the 'safe space' around the pyre based on fire service guidelines

THE stand-off over east Belfast's Avoniel bonfire has led to competing claims on whether the pyre should be razed or allowed to stay.

Belfast City Council had said its initial decision to remove bonfire material had not been reversed after loyalists voluntarily removed tyres.

Among the arguments, senior Orangeman Rev Mervyn Gibson claimed online that the bonfire "meets the fire service guidelines".

The latest from Avoniel - council will not remove the bonfire

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Does this claim stand up to scrutiny?

Rev Gibson tweeted: "Avoniel bonfire is 21ft high, with no tyres, no threat to any building – it meets the fire service guidelines – it is no longer a dangerous bonfire – what excuse are councillors now using to remove wood?"

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) sets out 'bonfire safety advice' on its website.

As well as advising that a bonfire is kept "well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs", it recommends that the distance of a bonfire to the nearest property should be at least five times the pyre's height.

If the Avoniel bonfire is 21ft tall, this means there should be at least a 105ft (32m) radius of entirely open space around the stack.

A graphic showing the location of east Belfast's Avoniel bonfire (pink dot), and two circles showing the minimum 'safe space' required around it based on different pyre heights
A graphic showing the location of east Belfast's Avoniel bonfire (pink dot), and two circles showing the minimum 'safe space' required around it based on different pyre heights A graphic showing the location of east Belfast's Avoniel bonfire (pink dot), and two circles showing the minimum 'safe space' required around it based on different pyre heights

Based on Google satellite imagery and scaled mapping, it would suggest some trees to the north of the bonfire and an allotment and community gardens to the south would fall within this 'unsafe' radius (see outer circle of map graphic).

However, if the bonfire is smaller in height, this 'unsafe' area would be reduced.

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On Tuesday, the bonfire appeared to be around 21 pallets tall.

Standard pallets can be approximately 15cm (6ins) deep. Based on this measurement, the bonfire would currently stand at approximately 3.15m (10ft) tall.

This would reduce recommended minimum open space around the bonfire to a radius of almost 16m (52ft). On this estimate, the bonfire would be less close to neighbouring vegetation or property (see inner circle on map graphic).

From the archives: Video - Contractors topple and take away bonfire built in Cluan Place (2018)

NIFRS said it has not visited the Avoniel site in recent days, but stressed that "there is no such thing as a completely safe bonfire".

"Bonfires can pose a very real risk to public safety and property. We would urge anyone building or attending bonfires to follow fire safety advice and act responsibly to stay safe," a spokeswoman said.

"The ultimate responsibility lies with the landowner on which the bonfire is built. NIFRS has no enforcement power in relation to the size and location of bonfires."

Read more:

  • Loyalists vow to resist Avoniel pyre removal efforts by council
  • Allison Morris: Don't demonise young bonfire builders - help them have a better future (premium)