Evacuation over bonfire gas alert

A Chinese takeaway business was destroyed in the fire

Thirty homes in east Belfast were evacuated after an eleventh night bonfire ruptured a gas pipeline.

A three-storey commercial building in Dromore Street off Cregagh Road was also destroyed when the gas ignited.

A Chinese takeaway food business was burned out in the fire but no-one was injured in the incident.

Firefighters were attacked by stone throwers five times as they dealt with more than 300 call-outs, with 61 bonfire-related.

However, the Fire and Rescue Service's Jim McCallum said it had been "slightly quieter than previous years".

"Certainly from the severity of incidents we attended last night, notwithstanding the call in Belfast, things were generally improved," he said.

"The size and nature of the calls reflects that the Fire and Rescue Service has been working closely with communities and local bonfire liaison groups."

Meanwhile, a weapon stolen from a police officer during crowd trouble near an eleventh night bonfire in east Belfast has been recovered.

Two officers were hurt and one had his gun and radio stolen after they were flagged down and asked to help a man who was being beaten up on Woodstock Link.

A crowd set upon the officers and more police were brought into the area to restore calm early on Tuesday morning.

Police did not release any details about how the weapon was recovered.