An ‘Eleventh’ bonfire thought to be one of the largest in Northern Ireland has been described as “quite a spectacle” after it was lit last night.
The Corcrain bonfire in Portadown was set alight in tandem with a fireworks display. A large crowd attended the event.
Darryn Causby, a DUP councillor in the area, said a “huge crowd” was there to see the pyre, built with castle features, go up in flames.
Read more: Portadown castle bonfire will be 'something Northern Ireland has not seen before'
He added: “It was quite a spectacle, there was a huge crowd probably the biggest I’ve ever seen at it. There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere all evening in the area and a number of bands paraded the estate.
“The organisers have worked hard to ensure the fire remains free of posters and flags and last night Billy Lundy was the only thing to be burned on the top.”
Bonfire organisers also pointed out that there were no tricolour on the fire, adding they were “bringing it back to our own culture” and only burning a Lundy effigy.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said they did respond to a 999 call due to burning embers being blown by the wind in the direction of some homes, however there was no damage to property.
Group Commander Mark Maginnes said they used jets to “dampen down” the roofs of some nearby properties.
He added: “It all went fairly smoothly, but due to a change in wind direction we did get a 999 call due burning embers moving in the direction of housing. We used jets to dampen that down and there was no damage to property.
"I would just ask that people are vigilant around bonfires, especially come Monday when there’ll be many more on fire. Wind can change direction and they can collapse so people should watch from a safe distance.”
Images from the scene show firefighters using ladders and a hose to douse a number of homes in water.
The PSNI said that they “received no reports of any incidents following the bonfire at Corcrain, Portadown last night, Friday July 8th”.
Most bonfire are due to burned on Monday, July 11, however it is understood one at Moygashel in Tyrone will also be set alight early with the burning planned for later tonight(Saturday).
The burning of a Lundy effigy is regarding as a Derry tradition, commemorating the Siege of Derry, with the event taking place every year at the city’s Bishop Street.
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