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Toxic tyre fires burn in Ulster as loyalists celebrate the Battle of the Boyne
Last updated at 10:37am on 12.07.07Thousands 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.
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A young Protestant brandishes a flag 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
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.
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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
Reader views (5)
I'm surprised no one died from the fumes. It is insanely massive.
- Ian, Dublin, 13/07/2007 14:34
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Very tasteful. Presumably they will be offsetting their carbon emissions on this travesty?
- Trevor Roll, London, 12/07/2007 13:10
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Sorry, but isn't the world polluted enough? Do we really need this?
- Marco, London, 12/07/2007 13:10
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Bonfire tax anyone?
- Andy, London, 12/07/2007 12:15
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The stupidity of some people is just incredible.
- Geraldine, London, 12/07/2007 11:31
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