Peaceful Eleventh Night in Londonderry

The Eleventh Night bonfire celebrations in Londonderry passed off without incident last night, unlike the Shankill in Belfast, where two terraced houses were destroyed by a blaze started accidentally due to a nearby bonfire.
The officers of City of Derry Grand Orange Lodge pictured at the head of the parade. INLS2816-114KMThe officers of City of Derry Grand Orange Lodge pictured at the head of the parade. INLS2816-114KM
The officers of City of Derry Grand Orange Lodge pictured at the head of the parade. INLS2816-114KM

There were good natured bonfires at The Fountain, Tullyally and in Newbuildings, which were the largest, as well as in other areas and in the towns and villages throughout the district.

A PSNI spokeswoman said that police had not been made aware of any incidents.

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Earlier this morning feeder parades made their way from Bonds Street and Newbuildings to The Fountain and to the ABOD Memorial hall, where they formed up for a short parade to waiting buses to take them to the main celebration in Limavady, which will include a traditional parade through he town before a religious service at Roemill, the reading, proposing and seconding of the Resolutions, and the return parade.

Home Lodges are expected back in Londonderry between 5pm and 6pm, when a further short parade will take place.

Meanwhile, in Belfast, in addition to the two terraced houses which were destroyed, another home also suffered damage.

Fire fighters said it looked like the fires at Hopewell Square may have been caused by burning embers carried through the air.

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Fire Officer Alan Walmsley said NIFRS crews arrived at the incident in Hopewell Square very quickly and their hard work had prevented the entire row of terraced houses being destroyed.

“My thoughts are with the families, we have a number of properties that are now significantly damaged today,” he added.

See tomorrow’s Londonderry Sentinel for full coverage

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