Firefighters in Northern Ireland faced a “challenging” night as multiple bonfires were lit ahead of 12 July celebrations, including at one site that contains asbestos.
Bonfires at an estimated 300 locations across the region were lit on Thursday and Friday night ahead of the Orange Order’s 12 July parades on Saturday.
Most were lit peacefully, but the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with 72 bonfire-related incidents and received 277 emergency calls on Friday – known as the Eleventh night – and into Saturday morning.
“This resulted in our firefighters attending 194 operational incidents, 72 of which were bonfire related. Peak activity was between 10pm and 1am,” NIFRS area commander Andy Burns said.
“During this period, the number of emergency calls received increased by 154% when compared to 2024.
“It was a challenging and extremely busy night for NIFRS with an increase in demand for our regional control centre and emergency response.”
Bonfire lighting at asbestos sight ‘very disappointing’
One bonfire in particular, at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road in south Belfast, was lit despite warnings, political rows and legal challenges throughout the week.
Stormont Environment Minister Andrew Muir urged earlier on Friday that the bonfire at the site, which contains asbestos and is close to an electricity sub-station, which powers two major hospitals in the city, not be lit.
However, it was lit as planned late on Friday to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II.
Mr Muir said on Saturday morning he was “very disappointed” with the decision to go ahead and light the bonfire.
Asbestos is the name given to several naturally occurring minerals that have crystallised to form fibres.
When materials or ground that contains asbestos is disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air.
If these fibres are inhaled it can cause serious diseases including cancer.
When asbestos is set alight, visible fragments can be carried in the smoke plume and may be deposited on nearby properties, gardens and streets.
Debris from a fire containing asbestos can also be dangerous to touch and or remove.
He said the government will be working with partners to assess the impact the particular bonfire had, and work with the landowner to remove the asbestos pile safely. An environmental crime investigation into the incident has also been launched, Mr Muir said.
“As I have already stated, a review must also be undertaken looking at lessons that can be learned involving all statutory partners,” Mr Muir said on Saturday.
Another bonfire nearby at Roden Street was topped with effigies of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap, as well as a sign written in the Irish language.
The blaze in Eastvale Avenue in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, featured the group on a poster with the wording “Kill Your Local Kneecap”, seemingly in response to a clip that emerged from a Kneecap concert in 2023, which appeared to show a member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The group is known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise – and have been vocally opposed to Israel’s military action in Gaza.
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There was also criticism from political and church leaders after an effigy of migrants in a boat was burned on a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone.
A number of loyal order parades are planned to take place later on Saturday. Around 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission, meaning it has the potential to cause tensions within the community or raise concern.
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Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy.
As a result, more than 4,000 police officers and staff will be working on Saturday night.
