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

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

Families Forced to Flee

I will never get over watching - Residents in Belfast are still assessing the damage left behind by the chaos of Tuesday night, as they recounted the harrowing experience of abandoning their homes amid fires. Among them was a Ukrainian family, who fled their residence on Lendrick Street in east Belfast after flames engulfed their neighborhood. Yura, 19, described the scene as "terrifying," sharing that her neighbor’s house was set ablaze, forcing her to kick open her front door to prevent the fire from spreading. She had to escape through the back with her dog, while also attempting to rescue a trapped neighbor’s pet.

A Home Lost in Flames

Jamie Corrie, a man who has resided on the same street in east Belfast for over a decade, spoke to BBC News NI outside the charred remains of his home on Wednesday morning. His property was reduced to ashes after a car belonging to "foreign nationals" next door was ignited, he explained. "I told them before they were lighting the car, I said 'this is my property,' " Corrie recalled, his voice heavy with emotion. "See standing there watching your house get burnt… that's a feeling I'll never get over."

Community Tensions Rise

Corrie emphasized the lasting impact of the violence, questioning its purpose. "What does this resolve? What does this actually do? Burning cars out, wrecking your own community and now one of their own has just lost their home," he said. He noted that by the time firefighters arrived, his home was already engulfed, leaving behind irreplaceable memories and possessions. "There's stuff in there that's sentimental, can't be replaced, that you'll not get again," he added, expressing gratitude that his children were not present during the incident.

Healthcare Workers' Fears

Concerns over safety have extended to healthcare professionals. Biji Jose, a senior nurse with the Northern Ireland Indian Nurses Forum, shared her anxiety about the community’s response to recent violence. Having lived in the region for 23 years, she noted that younger colleagues had reached out, voicing fears about their families and future stability. "People sometimes think about we are here to come to take their job. No, it is not the way," Jose said, highlighting the critical role nurses play in addressing staffing shortages and reducing waiting times for medical procedures.

Decision to Leave

For some, the unrest has prompted a permanent departure. An unnamed Indian man, who has resided in the UK for 25 years and the last four in Northern Ireland, revealed he is leaving after witnessing the destruction. "It was horrible. It was like a war zone," he said. "Everything was burning. Glass was smashed, and everyone hid in their homes. No one was coming out, people were so scared."

Support in the Face of Chaos

Meanwhile, in Ballyclare, County Antrim, the co-owner of a Turkish barber shop expressed sorrow over their business being targeted. Ozer Soy-Suren, speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, mentioned the shop has operated for 20 years. "We knew the protest was going to happen, so we left a little early to get home and keep ourselves safe," he said. Despite the turmoil, he noted the community’s resilience, with many visiting the shop to check on staff and offer support.