A fire in Greenisland, Co Antrim, likely caused by embers from an Eleventh Night bonfire, has destroyed two homes and affected several others.
London, United Kingdom Jul 13, 2026 ALN: Embers from an Eleventh Night bonfire likely caused the destruction of two homes and damage to two others, the fire service has confirmed. The incident has sparked considerable concern and discussion within the local community, highlighting the risks associated with traditional bonfire celebrations, especially in residential areas.
The destroyed homes close to the bonfire in Greenisland, Co Antrim, went up in flames less than 15 minutes after the lighting of the pyre at midnight on Saturday. This rapid escalation of the fire underscores the potential dangers posed by large bonfires, particularly when environmental conditions, such as wind, can exacerbate the situation. In this case, witnesses reported a strong breeze at the time of the bonfire's ignition, which may have contributed to the spread of the flames.
All the history and memories are gone, lamented 87-year-old David Haighton, who has lived in one of the destroyed houses for the last 54 years. His emotional response reflects not only the loss of physical property but also the deep-seated memories and connections tied to a home that has been a part of his life for decades. Such sentiments are common among those who face sudden displacement due to fire, illustrating the profound impact of such disasters on individuals and families.
A full and thorough investigation needs to be carried out, one local MLA said, emphasizing the importance of understanding the causes of the fire to prevent similar incidents in the future. Investigations into fires of this nature often involve examining the practices surrounding bonfire construction and safety measures, as well as community awareness of fire hazards.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) responded promptly, deploying more than 40 firefighters and six appliances following the first reports of the fire breaking out at Knockleigh Walk at 12.13am on Sunday morning. The scale of the response illustrates the seriousness of the situation, as firefighters worked to contain the flames and protect other properties in the vicinity.
The fire first took hold at the back of the row of houses. The bonfire was lit in a green area with houses on two sides, a configuration that can be particularly hazardous. The close proximity of residential structures to the bonfire increases the risk of fire spread, especially during windy conditions.
“At the height of the incident, the fire involved a number of properties in a row of houses, several oil tanks, and a shed,” the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service stated. The presence of oil tanks further complicated the firefighting efforts, as flammable materials can lead to more intense and uncontrollable fires.
“NIFRS had 45 firefighting personnel on scene, six pumping appliances, a command support unit, and an aerial ladder. Five firefighting jets were in use alongside an aerial water tower,” the spokesperson added, highlighting the extensive resources mobilized to tackle the blaze. The coordinated effort of multiple units is a testament to the training and preparedness of emergency services in responding to large-scale incidents.
Some residents had to be evacuated from their properties, and our thoughts are with those who have been affected, the spokesperson expressed. Evacuations are a critical safety measure in fire situations, ensuring that residents are kept out of harm's way while firefighters work to control the blaze.
“Further to completing our fire investigation today, the most probable cause is thought to be accidental ignition due to embers from a nearby bonfire,” the fire service concluded. This finding raises questions about the safety protocols surrounding bonfire events, particularly during the Eleventh Night celebrations, which are a longstanding tradition in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Haighton lived with his wife Esther in one of the destroyed houses. They are well known in the Greenisland area, and their situation has drawn significant attention from the community. The emotional toll of losing one’s home is profound, as Mr. Haighton himself articulated: “Fifty-four years of our life, all those memories and history, gone.” Such statements underscore the deep connections individuals have with their homes, which often serve as repositories of personal and familial history.
Local people have launched a fundraiser for the family, with the GoFundMe page describing this time as “extremely upsetting and difficult.” Community support in the wake of such tragedies is crucial, as it helps affected individuals rebuild their lives and provides a sense of solidarity during challenging times. Fundraising efforts often serve not only as a financial lifeline but also as a means of fostering community cohesion and support.
“This was not just a house to David, it’s been the concrete of his entire life and he has lost everything,” the page read, illustrating the magnitude of their loss. “David was in the Territorial Army (TA) for 37 years and is a very well-respected man while Esther was a traffic warden and a care assistant.” The community’s recognition of their contributions plays an important role in the healing process, as it reinforces the value of individuals within the social fabric.
“As a community, let’s do the best we can; thoughts, prayers & love are with David & Esther at this difficult time,” the fundraiser concluded, highlighting the collective empathy felt by the community in response to this tragic event.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers provided assistance to the fire service following the report of the blaze. The fire “has been deemed accidental at this time,” a police spokesperson stated, reflecting the collaborative efforts of various agencies in managing the incident and ensuring public safety.
Alliance East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson expressed his sympathies to the families “whose homes were burned down” in the fire. His statement reflects the broader community concern and the need for accountability in fire safety practices, particularly during events known for their potential hazards.
“I’d like to express my thanks to the wonderful neighbours who opened their homes to the families whose homes were destroyed last night,” Mr. Dickson said, acknowledging the importance of community support in times of crisis. The willingness of neighbors to provide shelter and assistance emphasizes the strength of community bonds, particularly in smaller towns and neighborhoods.
“The whole Greenisland community really rallied around the victims of the fire. I’d also like to thank the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and all other agencies involved in getting the situation under control,” he added, recognizing the coordinated response that mitigated further damage and ensured safety.
“Thankfully, no one was hurt or injured; however, this has been an extremely distressing situation for the entire community in Greenisland, in which I live, and what we need now is a full and thorough investigation into exactly what caused this fire,” Mr. Dickson concluded, emphasizing the need for clarity and prevention moving forward.
Local councillor Aaron Skinner also offered his sympathies to the families affected. “I know there is an ongoing investigation and I think it is important that we wait for the outcome,” he said, highlighting the importance of due process in addressing the causes of the fire.
“However, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the families impacted by the fire,” he added, reinforcing the sentiment of community support and the acknowledgment of loss felt by many.
NIFRS Area Commander Dermot Rooney reported that “operational activity was consistently high across the 11th night with an increase in demand for emergency response.” This statement reflects the broader context of fire safety during traditional celebrations, where the risk of incidents often rises significantly.
“We received 303 emergency calls between the hours of 6pm 11 July and 2am 12 July 2026. This resulted in firefighters attending 151 operational incidents. 54 of these were bonfire-related,” Mr. Rooney detailed, providing insight into the scale of emergency services' workload during this period. Such statistics are crucial for understanding the impact of cultural practices on public safety and resource allocation.
“On Milner Street, Belfast, firefighters dealt with a garage fire following fire spread from a bonfire,” he noted, indicating that the risks associated with bonfires extend beyond individual incidents, affecting multiple locations and properties.
“In an isolated incident, firefighters withdrew from a bonfire in the Cookstown area as a result of a hostile crowd,” he added, illustrating the complexities emergency services face during such events, where public safety can be compromised not only by fire but also by social dynamics.
“Firefighters also responded to other incidents across the night including accidental house fires in Antrim and Coleraine and an articulated lorry fire in Newry,” Mr. Rooney reported, reinforcing the idea that the night is fraught with various fire-related dangers.
Ahead of more bonfires being lit at midnight tonight (Sunday), Mr. Rooney added that the service was “prepared and ready to respond to all types of emergencies.” This preparedness is essential for ensuring public safety during high-risk events.
“We would encourage everyone to stay safe and make responsible choices throughout the remainder of the bank holiday weekend. With warm, dry weather continuing, we also ask anyone spending time outdoors to follow our countryside fire safety advice,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of community awareness and individual responsibility in fire safety practices.
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