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\nTwo homes at Knockleigh Walk in Greenisland near Belfast were destroyed<\/p>\n
Families whose homes were destroyed when burning embers from a Twelfth bonfire set them alight last night have spoken of their devastation.<\/p>\n
Two homes at Knockleigh Walk in Greenisland near Belfast were destroyed and two others in the terraced row were badly damaged.<\/p>\n
David Haighton has lived in the house for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n
The 87-year-old said thousands of embers from the fire started landing around his home shortly after the Twelfth bonfire was lit at midnight.<\/p>\n
He said things were made worse by a stiff breeze.<\/p>\n
\nTwo homes at Knockleigh Walk in Greenisland near Belfast were destroyed<\/p>\n
“The amount of cinders, bright burning cinders, tens of thousands of them coming flying over the house, right over the roofs and into the back.”<\/p>\n
The blaze intensified as several oil tanks at the rear of the houses caught fire.<\/p>\n
He alerted his neighbour and ran to wake his elderly wife who was in bed at the time.<\/p>\n
“The only thing that keeps me going is that I was able to get in when I saw how bad it was and screamed at my wife ‘get out as quick as you can, the house is on fire’.”<\/p>\n
A number of gas cylinders were recovered before they could explode.<\/p>\n
‘It breaks my heart’<\/p>\n
Billy Withers arrived at the scene this morning to liaise with the fire service and inspect the damage.<\/p>\n
The house belongs to his daughter and her partner.<\/p>\n
Watch: Families whose homes were destroyed speak of their devestation<\/p>\n
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences<\/a><\/p>\n Visibly upset, he said he was “devastated” that his daughter’s personal effects and those of her partner had been destroyed by the fire.<\/p>\n “It breaks my heart. I was coming down to see if there’s anything we could salvage but the firemen say you can’t get in.<\/p>\n “But to see that, and everything that she has built up. It’s gone.”<\/p>\n The fire service said the cause of the blaze is believed to have been accidental.<\/p>\n Fire service response<\/p>\n Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said there were 45 firefighting personnel on scene, six pumping appliances, a Command Support Unit and an Aerial ladder.<\/p>\n In a statement, NIFRS said that five firefighting jets were in use alongside an aerial water tower.<\/p>\n “Some residents had to be evacuated from their properties, and our thoughts are with those who have been affected.<\/p>\n “NIFRS would like to thank local partner agencies and the community for their help in support of the displaced families.<\/p>\n “Further to completing our Fire Investigation today the most probable cause is thought to be accidental ignition due to embers from a nearby bonfire.”<\/p>\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0024af07-614.jpg\"\/)
\nA number of gas cylinders were recovered before they could explode<\/p>\n
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