A Belfast man whose home was destroyed during violent riots on Tuesday night has described the horror of watching his late father's belongings go up in flames. Hundreds took to the streets after a local man, Stephen Ogilvie, was allegedly stabbed in the face by a Sudanese asylum seeker. The protests quickly turned violent, with rioters throwing petrol bombs, setting homes alight, and burning buses.
Family Heirlooms Lost
Jamie Corry, a resident of Lendrick Street for 13 years, said his property caught fire after far-right vandals targeted parked cars on his road. 'I came out and told them, "This is my property," and then they lit the red car,' he recounted. 'As the flames grew, I moved away and watched. Then the cars exploded, doors smoked, windows melted, and the house went up in flames.' Items belonging to his late father were destroyed in the blaze, which consumed his home 'top to bottom.' Corry expressed relief that his family was elsewhere at the time.
Community in Fear
Police and politicians have called for calm as further protests are planned. Community coordinator Israel Eguaogie of Belfast City of Sanctuary worked through the night to ensure safety. 'I didn't commit the crime. My child didn't commit the crime. We should not be trapped indoors,' he said. 'Families have been trapped, children are terrified, and people are sick with anxiety.' He noted that racially motivated riots have increased each June in Belfast over the past two years, warning that 'legitimate fear is not what we're talking about when families are burned out of their homes.'
