THE SDLP has hit out at the PSNI for not investigating a loyalist bonfire which destroyed a row of houses.
Police yesterday defended not launching a probe, telling The Irish News that a building catching fire is "not necessarily a crime".
Several terraced homes in west Belfast's lower Shankill area were gutted last July due to embers from a nearby Eleventh Night bonfire.
Families had to be rescued and the repair bill for the Housing Executive properties was £90,000.
Work has now begun on a community garden costing the public £40,000 in a bid to discourage the pyre's annual construction.
When asked if police investigated the blaze, senior PSNI officer David Moore said "no complaints were made".
"A building, or indeed anything else catching fire, is not necessarily a crime," he said.
"We are of course aware of sensitivities regarding bonfires and we will continue to work in partnership with all agencies and communities."
The SDLP's Alex Attwood said the party would be raising the lack of an investigation directly with the PSNI.
"This incident led to serious damage to a number of homes and could have taken the lives of many had it not been for the swift action of the Fire Service," he said.
"The PSNI must investigate this incident, with or without a formal complaint. What message does it send to those responsible or to those who have suffered as a result if the police stand by?
"Sensitivities come second to safety and the PSNI must act robustly to ensure that this kind of reckless act is not repeated in the future."
