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Three houses set ablaze in Belfast after bonfire burns out of control

Today marks the anniversary of the victory of Dutch Prince William of Orange over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

THREE HOUSES WERE set ablaze in Belfast last night after a bonfire to mark the 12th of July burned out of control.

The PSNI confirmed to TheJournal.ie that three houses had to be evacuated in north Belfast, after a large bonfire got out of control. 

The Red Cross also attended the blaze, and helped to accommodate the family.

Alan Walmsley, assistant chief fire officer with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue said they had to deal with a number of large bonfires across the North.

“It was quite a busy night, the fire services said there were quite a number of significant bonfires right across the province,” he told Morning Ireland on RTE.

Unfortunately in one incident in north Belfast, by the time we received the call there was already a roof alight on a row of terraced properties.

“We were there very very quickly, and fought the fire extremely hard to try and mitigate any significant damage, but unfortunately three properties were significantly damaged due to that fire.

Twelfth of July celebrations - Belfast A bonfire under construction in the Ballymacash area of Lisburn. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

“Thankfully everybody was out of that property at the time, but we were able to work with other emergency services and Belfast city council to put arrangements in place to open up a reception centre.

“We worked with British Red Cross to bring in facilities to help the family.”

Attacks

He said that no crews were attacked by people attending the bonfires last night, in contrast to previous years.

He said they unfortunately have no statutory powers to enforce the size or regulation of the bonfires, but that intensive community engagement has reaped benefits.

“This year, even though it was a busy night, we had a significant number of bonfire events, but there were no attacks on any of our crews, no attacks on any of our appliances.”

The PSNI confirmed to TheJournal.ie that they were present at the incident, but that no crime had been committed.

orange File photo Julien Behal / PA Archive/Press Association Images Julien Behal / PA Archive/Press Association Images / PA Archive/Press Association Images

Today is the 12th of July, where parades will take place across Northern Ireland to mark the anniversary of King William III’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

The Orange Order has organised 18 demonstrations.

The flagship parades will take place in Portadown and Kilkeel, with other demonstrations happening in Belfast, Maguiresbridge, Limavady, Castledawson, Coagh, Newtownstewart, Aughnacloy, Donaghadee, Comber, Dromore, Randalstown, Lisburn, Ballymena, Glenarm, Ahoghill and Ballycastle.

A parade was held in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal on Saturday.

Almost 5,000 members and 80 bands are expected to take part in the parade in Portadown, Co Armagh, while 1,000 members are due to march in Kilkeel, Co Down.

Edward Stevenson of the Orange Order said the day “offers a unique opportunity for the Orange Institution and the bands community to showcase our culture and heritage”, and will bring tourists to the areas involved.

Increased police presence is expected in a bid to keep the peace.

Bonfires 

Bonfires were lit in various locations in recent days, with Sinn Féin posters and tricolours among the items set on fire.

Bonfires
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  • Bonfires

    A completed bonfire in the Hopewell area in Lower Shankill, Belfast.Source: Brian Lawless / PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Bonfires

    A bonfire under construction in the Ballymacash area of Lisburn. Source: Brian Lawless / PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Bonfires

    A completed bonfire in the Hopewell area in the Lower Shankill, Belfast. Source: Brian Lawless / PA Wire/Press Association Images
  • Bonfires

    Men stand on a bonfire under construction in the Ballymacash area of Lisburn.Source: Brian Lawless / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd said such incidents are unacceptable and should be investigated by the police as a hate crime.

He was speaking after election posters belonging to himself and party colleague Catherine Seeley were burned on bonfires in Portadown.

“It is totally unacceptable that these stolen posters appeared on the bonfire, especially in the context of an event which was supposed to be a children’s fun day. What message does the burning of images of elected representatives send out to children?”

O’Dowd said the incident has been reported to the PSNI as “theft and a hate crime”.

In previous years, effigies of Sinn Féin politicians including Gerry Adams have been burned in the bonfires.

With reporting from Darragh Peter Murphy.

Read: Mary Lou: Burning Sinn Féin effigies is ‘race hatred’

Read: Teen girl injured after car ploughs into pedestrians in Ardoyne

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161 Comments
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    Mute thephantomshit
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:28 AM

    Is this the most pointless poll yet?

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    Mute Eoin O'C
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:35 AM

    @thephantomshit: Yes
    No
    Not Sure

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    Mute Jerry Donovan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:52 AM

    @thephantomshit: run a poll to see ?

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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:47 AM

    @thephantomshit: The polls are silly full stop.

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    Mute Orpuk Jones
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:34 AM

    @thephantomshit: its primary purpose appears to be to give people the opportunity to use the word ‘inconceivable’ in the comments section.

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    Mute Jerry Donovan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:30 PM

    @Orpuk Jones: seems implausible

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    Mute Squiddley Diddley
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:30 AM

    Inconceivable!

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:44 AM

    @Squiddley Diddley: The perfect response….

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    Mute The Quare Fella
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:02 PM

    @Squiddley Diddley:
    You can imagine what a remake would like.
    (Inclusion rider)
    It was successful for good reason. Leave well alone

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    Mute Jodi
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:29 AM

    Yes, I’ve watched it 20 times. No, I wouldn’t watch any remake. As Cary Elwes said – “There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one.”

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:04 AM

    @Jodi: to be honest, just as long as no one touches the Goonies, then I don’t mind what they remake

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:09 AM

    @Peter Cavey: don’t give them ideas.

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:42 AM

    @Peter Cavey:

    Surely you wouldn’t watch a remake of Stand By Me?

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    Mute Diogenes
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:37 AM

    Plundering greed, nothing original left in Hollywood.

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    Mute D Writer
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:52 AM

    @Diogenes: the studios find its easier to rehash previous successful stories than to risk doing something original.

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:34 AM

    Hello my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my movie prepare to die.

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:21 PM

    @Grumpyoldtroll: fun fact. The same actor played Saul berenson in homeland

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:13 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:14 PM

    @Dave Harris:

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    Mute Nathan Carr
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:10 AM

    As you wish

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    Mute Cosmological
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    Sep 19th 2019, 9:51 AM

    Who gives a toss? That should have been an option.

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:15 AM

    @Cosmological: I was, but rephrase to be less insulting as ‘I’m not sure’ but at least you got your name into the comments section of the Journal. Well done you

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    Mute Reuben Gray
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:51 AM

    I’d prefer a sequel to be honest. Most of the actors are still alive and it could be the next Pirated of the Caribbean if they continue the story of the Dread Pirate Roberts.

    Feck it, Arya of house Stark could join the crew….

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    Mute Will
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:52 PM

    @Reuben Gray: That would involve coming up with some original ideas. Hollywood won’t go there.
    Good idea though!

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute Eddie Mc Keown
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:12 AM

    Noooooooooooooooooooooo

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    Mute Ed
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:02 AM

    I haven’t watched the original.

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    Mute Richard Connell
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:58 AM

    Who would write the music?

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    Mute MurtyMac
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:04 PM

    No and I never heard of it, whatever it is.

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    Mute Michael Friel
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:23 PM

    I’d watch but only if it was a straight adaptation of the original Morgenstern.

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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:14 PM

    It’s one of my favourate movies and the first reason I got into fencing. I am happy to see it remade, it’s not like the old one will disappear or be any lesser for it.

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    Mute Whatever
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:10 AM

    Would still watch the remake just to potentially hate it

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    Mute Keith ☘️
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:16 PM

    No but I ‘haven’t’ seen the original. Poor grammar lads!!

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    Mute Mike Conway
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:19 PM

    I don’t watch any of these nonsense films- I prefer a dry documentary.

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    Mute Jas
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:17 PM

    I’m not sure

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:18 PM

    @ Dave Harris: Sorry my mind exploded

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    Mute Bunny Johnson
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:16 AM

    Great idea, just look at how well the remake of the Ten Commandments did. Not heard of it you say!

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    Mute John Hayes
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    Sep 19th 2019, 10:11 AM

    I wouldn’t watch nottin…..

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    Mute vfagan
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    Sep 19th 2019, 11:36 AM

    @John Hayes: that’ll take a while.

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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Sep 19th 2019, 3:26 PM

    Who cares about all this distracting chewing gum for the eyes?

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 12:50 PM

    I went to a quote along screening of this movie in the Prince Charles cinema in London years ago it was fantastic! people were dressed as the characters everyone was quoting along to the script and cheering at the fight scenes it was a great night out. this film is a classic and has a cult following leave it alone!
    https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/Home

    what’s next a remake of ET

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    Mute lelookcoco
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:17 PM

    @Buster Cat: Buster. Did you once go to a quote along screening of this film?

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    Mute Fergus Murphy
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    Sep 19th 2019, 1:48 PM

    @lelookcoco: He went 3 times at least

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 2:01 PM

    @lelookcoco: yes once it was years ago but they had it on once a month a long time now

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    Mute Buster Cat
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    Sep 19th 2019, 2:02 PM

    @lelookcoco: there is something wrong with submit page it tells me it didn’t submit but then it does sorry

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