NIHE 'paid £4k for bonfire damage claims' since 2011

By Damien Edgar

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has had to pay out almost £4,000 since 2011 for claims relating to damage caused by bonfires.

The figures were revealed to UTV, with £3,841.48 paid out for just eight claims since 1 January 2011.

By the same token, Belfast City Council has not paid out any money for claims, with only four claims submitted in the same time frame, with two in west Belfast and one each in south and east Belfast.

It comes after houses on the Shankill Road in Belfast were damaged on the Eleventh Night last month.

Pay-outs were given for damage which ranged from:

  • Garden furniture and trampolines being burnt

  • Shed roofs being burnt

  • Smoke and water damage to the interior of houses

  • Downpipes being melted