Bonfire embers likely caused Co. Antrim house fire, says service

A devastating fire that engulfed two homes in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, was most likely ignited by embers from a nearby bonfire, according to the fire service. The blaze, which occurred in Greenisland near Carrickfergus in the early hours of Sunday, also damaged two other terraced properties.

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In Greenisland, Carrickfergus, firefighters dealt with a row of terraced houses on fire, along with two oil tanks and a shed.

Dermot Rooney, area commander for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), stated that firefighters responded to multiple calls and dealt with a row of houses on fire, along with oil tanks and a shed. At its peak, the incident involved 45 personnel, six pumping appliances, a command support unit, and an aerial ladder, utilizing five firefighting jets and an aerial water tower.

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At the height of the incident, the fire involved a number of properties in a row of houses, several oil tanks and a shed. 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. Some residents had to be evacuated from their properties.

Some residents were evacuated from their homes. While the fire is under investigation, a spokesperson for the NIFRS indicated that the most probable cause is accidental ignition from bonfire embers. Police confirmed the fire has been deemed accidental at this time. Local councilor Stewart Dickson expressed sympathy to the affected families and called for a thorough investigation.

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Further to completing our fire investigation today, the most probable cause is thought to be accidental ignition due to embers from a nearby bonfire.