a minute’s silence was observed at the dismantled bonfire at Antiville and the Cairncastle Flute Band played several songs.

The remains of the broken fire were lit while wreaths were laid nearby. Among those in attendance was Stormont Finance Minister and local Assembly member Gordon Lyons. Presbyterian minister Ben Preston led the prayers at the event. He told the gathering: “We are here from all over, from fire groups, from community groups, from the community here in Antiville and Craigyhill and we are here together for the family, for this community and for this people.” Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster this morning, Reverend Preston described how there were believed to be “hundreds of people” at the vigil. “The road was jammed with cars, people came from all over Northern Ireland,” he said. “We must remember the Steele family and this community.” Locals say there were disturbing scenes as relatives of the deceased reached the spot shortly after the fatal accident. Police and an ambulance were called to the scene just after 9.30 on Saturday night.

                    Shut up

John Steele who died after falling from a fire at Larne John Steele who died after falling from a fire at Larne The fire, built from stacked wooden pallets, was put out on Sunday. An excavator was brought to the site to break it up as a mark of respect to the family of the deceased. Flowers were left at the scene, with the community said to be in shock. The fatal crash in Antiville came as Larne had hit the headlines for another fire in the town. Builders at a nearby Craigyhill fire continued to add to the towering structure on Sunday. It is estimated to be over 198 feet tall. The Craigyhill bonfire team posted online that they will continue their attempt to break the world record in Mr Steele’s memory. The fire is expected to ignite on Monday afternoon. Police maintained a low presence at the scene of the fire Sunday morning.

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The leader of the Cairncastle flute band with a wreath before laying it during a vigil where a man died after falling from the fire at the Antiville estate in Larne, Co Antrim. Photo date: Sunday, July 10, 2022. PA Photo. John Steele was helping to build the towering bonfire at the Antiville estate when the incident happened on Saturday night. See history of PA ULSTER Twelfth. Photo should be: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA The leader of the Cairncastle flute band with a wreath before laying it during a vigil where a man died after falling from the fire at the Antiville estate in Larne, Co Antrim. Photo date: Sunday, July 10, 2022. PA Photo. John Steele was helping to build the towering bonfire at the Antiville estate when the incident happened on Saturday night. See history of PA ULSTER Twelfth. Photo should be: Liam McBurney/PA Wire The area’s MP is Sammy Wilson, who was at the scene and said the community is in shock. “My thoughts and sympathies are with this man’s family,” the DUP MP said. “It’s a real tragedy at a special time of year for people in the faith community. “The family is well known in the area and I’m sure this will be particularly felt in the community.” Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Council Noel Williams expressed his condolences following the death. “The loss of a young man’s life in an accident at a fire site in Larne is shocking and my thoughts are with his heartbroken loved ones,” he said. “The community is hurting and my prayers are with everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.” Stormont Justice Minister and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long tweeted: …