18/07/2019

NIFRS Record 40% Drop In Bonfire Incidents

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has recorded the lowest number of bonfire related incidents in the past four years.

Figures released pertaining to callouts on Thursday 11 July, as the loyalist community celebrated by lighting pyres across the country, show a 40% fall in incidents when compared with 2018.

The NIFRS received 136 emergency calls between 6pm on 11 July and 1am the following day, with crews mobilised to 91 operational incidents. Only 34 of these were bonfire related, the lowest number since 2015.

Traditionally, thousands of people step out into their communities each year as bonfires are set alight to mark the beginning of the Twelfth festivities.

While the structures range from a few dozen to hundreds of pallets high, the majority of incidents required limited intervention by fire crews, resulting in the attendance of one appliance.

A spokesperson for the service said: "NIFRS maintained normal service delivery throughout the evening attending a range of non-bonfire related operational incidents, including a full emergency at George Best Belfast City Airport, a number of property fires, special service calls and a hazmat incident involving acetylene cylinders.  

"There were no attacks on NIFRS crews or appliances whilst carrying out their operational activities throughout the province."



(JG/CM)

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