Pro-British Loyalists in Northern Ireland early this morning set fire to a huge pyre of tyres and the hated Republic of Ireland flag that was sat on top of it.
They were celebrating the 1690 Battle of the Boyne between the Williamites (supporters of the protestant King William III of England, Ireland and Scotland) and the Jacobites (supporters of the deposed catholic King James II). It was a victory for the Williamites and many Protestants in Northern Ireland, who wish Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK, celebrate the event every year.
Toxic tyre fires burn in Ulster as loyalists celebrate the Battle of the Boyne
12th July 2007
Daily Mail
Thousands of tyres were set ablaze last night during loyalist celebrations of the Battle of the Boyne.
Stacked by their thousands, the tyres in the tower cast a plume of fire - and thick, toxic smoke caused by the burning plastic - high into the night sky.
A young Protestant brandishes a joint Northern Irish/Britishflag before the flames early this morning
The combination of rain, fire and fumes made for grim but spectacular viewing
A man dressed as King William of Orange cavorts at the bonfire. The Republic of Ireland flag was also burnt.
Some locals in Ballycraigy, County Antrim, said the man-made mountain of tyres and pallets was a major risk to health and should be dismantled. They said it could collapse dangerously and give off toxic fumes when on fire.
No one suffered any immediate injuries from the massive bonfire last night.
Safety barriers were erected around the pyre, built with the help of wooden pallets. The pyramid was topped by an Irish tricolor.
Bonfire committee workers had previously removed tyres from seven of the nine bonfires in the area on safety grounds.
A couple with their baby take their evening stroll past the leaping flames and toxic smoke
Three young people stand rather alarmingly close as the pyre collapses in on itself in the early hours of this morning
The way it was: The pyre of tyres balances precariously close to buildings on the day before it was set alight
dailymail.co.uk
They were celebrating the 1690 Battle of the Boyne between the Williamites (supporters of the protestant King William III of England, Ireland and Scotland) and the Jacobites (supporters of the deposed catholic King James II). It was a victory for the Williamites and many Protestants in Northern Ireland, who wish Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK, celebrate the event every year.
Toxic tyre fires burn in Ulster as loyalists celebrate the Battle of the Boyne
12th July 2007
Daily Mail
Thousands of tyres were set ablaze last night during loyalist celebrations of the Battle of the Boyne.
Stacked by their thousands, the tyres in the tower cast a plume of fire - and thick, toxic smoke caused by the burning plastic - high into the night sky.
A young Protestant brandishes a joint Northern Irish/Britishflag before the flames early this morning
The combination of rain, fire and fumes made for grim but spectacular viewing
A man dressed as King William of Orange cavorts at the bonfire. The Republic of Ireland flag was also burnt.
Some locals in Ballycraigy, County Antrim, said the man-made mountain of tyres and pallets was a major risk to health and should be dismantled. They said it could collapse dangerously and give off toxic fumes when on fire.
No one suffered any immediate injuries from the massive bonfire last night.
Safety barriers were erected around the pyre, built with the help of wooden pallets. The pyramid was topped by an Irish tricolor.
Bonfire committee workers had previously removed tyres from seven of the nine bonfires in the area on safety grounds.
A couple with their baby take their evening stroll past the leaping flames and toxic smoke
Three young people stand rather alarmingly close as the pyre collapses in on itself in the early hours of this morning
The way it was: The pyre of tyres balances precariously close to buildings on the day before it was set alight
dailymail.co.uk