The Northern Ireland Fire Service attended 35 bonfire related incidents last night.
EPIC: Craigyhill Bonfire Larne, Northern Ireland ??#Culture #Heritage #Identity pic.twitter.com/dYyadKLAS7
— ?? Jolene Bunting ?? (@jolenebuntinguk) July 11, 2022
Meanwhile police are investigating reports of flags and emblems being placed on some bonfires.
Around 250 bonfires were set alight in loyalist areas last night to mark the start of the Battle of the Boyne commemorations.
It is usually one of the busiest nights of the year for the Northern Ireland Fire Service.
Last night fire crews responded to 98 operational incidents during that time, over one third of those were bonfire-related incidents.
Meanwhile the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said that it had received "a number of complaints relating to flags, effigies, election posters and other emblems being placed on bonfires".
Tonight I am having to answer questions from my children who came across this on social media why their Daddy is on a bonfire to be burnt.
This is not culture, it is a hate crime. Those within political unionism need to show leadership & stand up against this sectarian hatred pic.twitter.com/SmYsgu0Wpr
— Cllr Gary McCleave (@Garymc1967) July 11, 2022
How can you in loyalist culture ask me to respect your tradition when you take the flag of my county, the poster of my MLA , the flag of my religion, and a KAT message, put them on a bonfire lit with £1000s worth of gov sponsored pallets and tell me that I am the problem. pic.twitter.com/hEj1KbPz5X
— Gerry Cunningham (@GerryCu58302876) July 11, 2022
Later, members of the Orange Order will hold marches at 18 locations across Northern Ireland.
