A fire in a row of terraced houses at Knockleigh Walk in Greenisland, Carrickfergus, has left two homes completely destroyed and two others damaged. The blaze also involved two oil tanks and a shed. No one was hurt or injured, according to local Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson, who described the community response as strong.

The incident occurred on the evening of 11 July, traditionally the Eleventh Night, when bonfires are lit in many unionist areas ahead of the Orange Order’s Twelfth of July parades. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said the cause is under investigation.

Area Commander Dermot Rooney reported that between 6pm on 11 July and 2am on 12 July, the service received 303 emergency calls and responded to 151 incidents, 54 of which were bonfire-related. Alongside the Greenisland fire, crews attended a garage fire on Milner Street in Belfast that spread from a bonfire. In Cookstown, County Tyrone, firefighters withdrew from a bonfire because of a hostile crowd. Other incidents across the night included accidental house fires in Antrim town and Coleraine, and a fire involving an articulated lorry in Newry.

Mr Stewart Dickson, MLA for East Antrim, called for a full investigation into the Greenisland fire. He expressed sympathy to the affected families and thanked neighbours who provided shelter. He said the community had rallied around the victims.

Mr Rooney thanked firefighters, control room staff, and support personnel for their work during a demanding period. With further bonfires expected and warm, dry weather continuing, he urged the public to stay safe and follow countryside fire safety advice.

The Twelfth of July parades, marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, will take place on Monday, 13 July this year because 12 July falls on a Sunday.