One Home, One Fire: The Night Belfast’s Streets Turned into Inferno

Wed Jun 17 2026 08:19:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A lone resident recounts watching his 13‑year‑old home burn to ash amid a night of violence that left families scattered and communities rattled.

In the wake of Monday night's knife attack, Belfast’s east side turned into chaos, with multiple houses ablaze and residents forced to flee. Jamie Corrie, a long‑time resident, endured watching his home consume itself. The blaze began when a neighbour’s car was set on fire, spreading to Corrie’s property. Families, including a two‑month‑old baby, grappled with the fallout, while Ukrainian refugees took refuge in neighbouring homes. Heated voices echoed from the streets, with community leaders and clergy trying to restore calm. Amid the unrest, a barber shop in Ballyclare suffered damage, and a man of Indian heritage felt compelled to leave Northern Ireland. The night’s turbulence spotlighted deeper fears about safety, belonging and the cycle of violence.

I will never get over watching my home of 13 years burn down

BBC News NI – 7 hours ago • Ciarán McCauley & Catherine Doyle

Families in Belfast, including one with a two‑month‑old baby, are grappling with the cost of Tuesday night’s violence after being forced to flee their homes amid fires.

Several homes went up in flames across the city following a knife attack on Monday night that sparked disorder and flashpoints of violence.

Jamie Corrie, a long‑time resident of Lendrick Street, described the moment his house, which he had lived in for 13 years, consumed itself.

"I told them before they were lighting the car, I said ‘this is my property’. Seeing your house get burnt… that’s a feeling I’ll never get over," he said.

The fire began when a car belonging to “foreign nationals” next door was set alight, spreading to Corrie’s home. At the time firefighters arrived, it was already engulfed in flames.

Despite the devastation, Corrie is grateful his children were not inside when the blaze started.

The night’s violence also reverberated for Ukrainian refugees huddled inside neighboring homes. Yura, 19, shared that many nearby houses were targeted, and she had to flee through a back door to escape the fire.

Opposition to the violence has become evident within the community. Pastor Jack McKee, aiding children on Crumlin Road, noted that many families he helped started to feel unsafe.

In response to the night‑long turmoil, a barber shop in Ballyclare was targeted. Owner Ozer Soy‑Suren, who has opened his shop for 20 years, expressed sadness over the damage.

By the same story, a man of Indian descent, a resident of north Belfast, declared he would “leave right now” after the incident.

He described the scene as a “war zone” and mentioned that every house was engulfed in fire.

The unrest underscores growing anxieties about identity, history and the fragility of the community fabric in Belfast. In the midst of these tensions, the scenario echoes far‑back memories of past communal violence.

Meanwhile police efforts continue to maintain safety and aid families affected by the night’s violence.