Legal action expected over loyalist bonfire sparking concern in Belfast

South Wales Argus

08-07-2025

The location of the towering pyre is close to an electricity substation which powers two major Belfast hospitals.
It is set to be lit on July 11 ahead of annual Orange Order parades on July 12.
Fenced-off area warning of asbestos close to a bonfire on Broadway Industrial Estate off Donegall Road in south Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
NIE Networks said it has put mitigations in place at the substation to reduce the risk of damage.
It is understood that correspondence has been exchanged between a Belfast legal firm and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Belfast City Council, the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for Communities.
The PSNI said it 'continues to work with our partner agencies, community representatives and landowners to address community safety issues relating to bonfires'.
A spokesperson added: 'As there is the potential that judicial proceedings may be initiated, it would be inappropriate to comment any further.'
Earlier a spokesperson for the Belfast Health Trust confirmed the substation supplies power to both the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital (BCH).
They said they are continuing to monitor developments in relation to the bonfire, and said at this stage there is no requirement to cancel any appointments.
'Our staff will remain in contact with relevant stakeholders over the coming days,' they said.
'On-site contingency measures include emergency back-up generators, which are tested regularly.
A Belfast City Council appliance used to remove tyres located close to the bonfire on Broadway Industrial Estate off Donegall Road in south Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
'Belfast Trust continues to review these arrangements with clinical teams at the BCH site.
'The trust is satisfied that there is currently no requirement to cancel any planned treatments or procedures.'
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt paid a 'fact-finding visit to the site' on Tuesday.
A department spokesperson said he took part in the visit 'in line with his ministerial responsibilities', and will receive updates from Belfast Trust and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said the NIEA is working with Belfast City Council to cover asbestos-containing material at the site and erect additional fencing.
Although a spokesperson said it is 'primarily the responsibility of the landowner'.
Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole, who represents South Belfast, also expressed concern around the presence of asbestos on the site.
The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works.
There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything.
Why not?
— Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) July 8, 2025
'The issue of the bonfire at Donegall Road exposes the democratic scandal of how this place works,' he said in a post on the social media network X.
'There is a credible risk to public health but neither the responsible Alliance environment minister, UUP health minister nor any Executive party will say anything. Why not?'
NIE Networks said it has met with relevant stakeholders to express its concerns over the bonfire's proximity to the substation causing potential risk to critical infrastructure and power outages.
'Mitigations have been put in place, including turning off the transformers adjacent to the bonfire, building scaffolding with metal sheeting around the transformers and placing steel plates on open cable ducts to reduce the risk of fire and damage,' they said.
'Whilst these mitigations are in place, there will be a reduction in security of supply for the area.
'We would remind the public that flames near to power lines and electricity substations pose serious risk to everyone's safety and wellbeing.'
A bonfire on Broadway Industrial Estate off Donegall Road in south Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
The DAERA also said that NIEA officials remain in ongoing contact with the council and enforcement investigation continues in relation to the site.
The bonfire, just off the Donegall Road, is one of an estimated 300 set to be lit across July 10-11 in Northern Ireland.
Most of the bonfires, which are normally lit ahead of loyal order parades across the region on July 12, pass off without incident.
However the fires, ranging from towering structures to beacons, have sparked anger following the burning of flags, effigies and election posters in the past.
One of the tallest bonfires in recent years has been at Craigyhill in Larne, which reportedly reached 62 metres in 2022.