There were calls today for a renewed focus on safety around Eleventh night bonfires in the North after a blaze destroyed a house in Co Down.
Police said it is believed the fire in Newtownards started at a makeshift hut next to a bonfire, with the flames spreading to oil tanks and a car, before sparking the damage to nearby homes.
The owners of the building destroyed in the fire are believed to be on holiday and now face the prospect of returning to find their home in ruins.
Three other houses in the East Mount area were damaged in the fire which police believe took hold between 3am and 6.30am. And while the occupants of the buildings escaped unhurt, a firefighter was injured tackling the blaze.
DUP Assembly member for the area Jonathan Bell extended his sympathy to the family, and while he defended the role of traditional bonfires as part of the wider July 12 celebrations by the loyal orders, he said a "safety first" motto must be observed. “We have to look again at this and learn the lessons.”
It is understood that the annual bonfire had previously been based on a green area near the homes, but had been placed too close to the buildings.
PA