Belfast residents recount trauma as fires and unrest destroy homes

Belfast residents are grappling with the devastation left by a night of unrest that engulfed homes, vehicles, and public transport in flames. Families were forced to evacuate their properties as fires spread, leaving a trail of destruction across parts of the city.

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See standing there watching your house get burnt… that's a feeling I'll never get over.

Jamie Corrie, who had lived in his east Belfast home for over a decade, spoke of the profound trauma of witnessing his house destroyed by fire. "See standing there watching your house get burnt… that's a feeling I'll never get over," he told BBC News NI. He explained that the fire started after a car belonging to his neighbors, described as "foreign nationals," was set alight.

By the time firefighters arrived, Corrie's house was already engulfed, and everything inside, including irreplaceable sentimental items, was lost. The incident highlights the destructive impact of the violence, with Corrie questioning the purpose of such acts, stating, "Burning cars out, wrecking your own community and now one of their own has just lost their home."

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this is my property

In addition to the destruction of private property, a Glider bus was also set ablaze. The violence prompted the suspension of all public transport in the city. Reports emerged of individuals being targeted due to their race, with a pastor in north Belfast stating that families were being forced out "because they're black."

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already engulfed in flames

Authorities have made three arrests in connection with the Belfast violence. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher confirmed that police would be deployed in greater numbers on Wednesday night. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are calling for calm as Northern Ireland braces for potential further protests and disruption.

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There's stuff in there that's sentimental, can't be replaced, that you'll not get again.