THIS is the moment a huge bonfire in Co. Down crashed to the ground just days before it was due to be lit for the Eleventh night.
The bonfire on the Kilcooley estate in Bangor is built every year on a green area near the busy West Circular Road.
Kilcooley Bonfire,Well on its way to be Ulster Biggest 2018. A Military Operation, being constructed by Structural Engineers for safety.😉 pic.twitter.com/pvWb92kXrg
— David Stitt BSc(HONS) (@eastside2020) 5 July 2018
A leading loyalist charting the building of the bonfire boasted earlier this week that the construction was “a military operation, being constructed by structural engineers for safety”.
However after footage of it crashing down spread on social media, Dee Stitt has claimed it was “pushed over with a Manitou due to structural concerns”.
kilcooley Estate Bangor.. bonfire fell tonight. Lucky no one was hurt. pic.twitter.com/AkN0dZzZa6
— McGregor (@NEILCOLWELL1969) 6 July 2018
Stitt added that the bonfire, which he claimed was on its way to being the biggest in the North, will be rebuilt higher and stronger over the next four days.
No one was injured when the bonfire fell on Friday night.
For everyones information the Kilcooley Bonfire was pushed over with a Manitou due to structural concerns.Speaking to the builders last nite,rest asured it will be built higher and stronger during the next 4 dys.Thanks to all True Loyalists offers to help rebuild.#slideonhaters pic.twitter.com/3KGO6yAlXA
— David Stitt BSc(HONS) (@eastside2020) 7 July 2018
Every year bonfires are lit in Protestant areas of Northern Ireland on the eve of July 12.
Concerns have been raised about the proximity of some bonfires to residential areas, as well as the risk to the environment, infrastructure and people’s health.
Kilcooley bonfire topples - reverse angle video. (From https://t.co/15JehQP6yN) pic.twitter.com/7xAeuU8Wb5
— Gallaher's Blues (@GallahersBlues) 7 July 2018
It is also not uncommon to see Irish Tricolours placed on bonfires before they are burned.
Banners displaying anti-Irish and anti-Catholic slogans have also been placed on bonfires in the past, as well as effigies of nationalist politicians.
See More: Bonfires, Down, Eleventh Night
