The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) handled a significant surge in emergency calls, receiving 303 between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, with 151 operational incidents recorded. This increase in activity occurred as some bonfires were lit in advance of the Orange Order's traditional Twelfth of July parades.
Of the 303 calls, 54 were directly related to bonfires. In Cookstown, County Tyrone, firefighters were forced to withdraw from a bonfire incident due to a "hostile crowd," according to the NIFRS. Separately, in Greenisland, Carrickfergus, a fire broke out in a row of terraced houses, spreading to two oil tanks and a shed. This incident resulted in two homes being completely destroyed and caused damage to two additional properties. The cause of the Greenisland fire is currently under investigation.
The NIFRS has stated its readiness to respond to all types of emergencies, with further bonfires anticipated.