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Image source, PA Media
A huge bonfire in Portadown was burned on Friday night as part of the Twelfth of July celebrations
ByBarry O'Connor
BBC News NI
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received 303 emergency calls, and responded to 151 operational incidents, between 18:00 BST on Saturday and 02:00 on Sunday.
Some bonfires across Northern Ireland were lit ahead of the Orange Order's Twelfth of July parades.
Fifty four of the emergency calls were bonfire-related, and in Cookstown, County Tyrone, firefighters had to withdraw from a bonfire due to a "hostile crowd", NIFRS said.
In a separate incident in Greenisland, Carrickfergus, the fire service dealt with a row of terraced houses, along with two oil tanks and a shed, on fire. Two homes were completely destroyed with damage caused to a further two properties.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Image source, PA Media
Firefighters hosed down properties in Roden Street, Belfast, to reduce the risk of a fire starting
On Milner Street in Belfast, firefighters dealt with a garage fire following fire spread from a bonfire.
Firefighters also responded to other incidents across the night including accidental house fires in Antrim and Coleraine and an articulated lorry fire in Newry.
"With further bonfires planned, we are prepared and ready to respond to all types of emergencies. We would encourage everyone to stay safe and make responsible choices throughout the remainder of the bank holiday weekend," NIFRS Area Commander Dermot Rooney said.
"With warm, dry weather continuing, we also ask anyone spending time outdoors to follow our countryside fire safety advice."
Image source, PA Media
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service says it received 303 emergency calls
Bonfires are lit every year in some unionist areas of Northern Ireland ahead of the Orange Order's parades, which are traditionally held on 12 July to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
This year, however, marches will be held on Monday, July 13.
This is because 12 July falls on a Sunday, which the Orange Order considers a religious day of rest.
Because of that, while many communities decided to light their bonfires on Saturday, July 11, some will light theirs on Sunday - on the eve of the parades.
