House set alight in street violence

Children clearing up after earlier trouble at the weekend

A derelict house has been set on fire during fresh disturbances at an east Belfast interface.

The trouble began when crowds of about 100 on each side began throwing stones, fireworks and other missiles in the Madrid Street area of the Short Strand shortly after 2200 BST on Wednesday.

There were no reports of injuries.

The fire service fought the blaze at the derelict house while the security forces kept the two sides apart.

With some well-known republican families having moved in from north Belfast into the Short Strand there appears to be a winding up of the situation

Sammy Wilson DUP

Nationalists claim the house was set on fire by loyalists.

Sinn Fein councillor for the area Joe O'Donnell said he had no doubt loyalist paramilitaries were behind the violence.

"Something has to be done to bring this to an end," he said.

Tensions

"People in this community can't live under this for much longer, they can't live under this stress.

Joe O'Donnell: "These people have become victims of loyalist paramilitarism"

"A siege was set on this community from Saturday night and these people have become victims of loyalist paramilitarism."

However, DUP assembly member Sammy Wilson blamed republicans for starting the trouble.

"Now with the summer period coming in, with some well-known republican families having moved in from north Belfast into the Short Strand there appears to be a winding up of the situation," he said.

The trouble follows disturbances in the area on Tuesday when petrol bombs were thrown and plastic bullets fired during clashes between nationalists and police.

There were also disturbances at the weekend when several police officers were injured during clashes between rival groups.