Story perspectives

Firefighters suspended after live footage shows shoving at arson fire

6/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sky News helicopter footage captured two firefighters shoving each other during a vehicle fire broadcast live.
They were suspended on pay after the incident at a Department for Infrastructure site near the Sandyknowes roundabout, Newtownabbey.
The fire had been deliberately set amid disorder following a recent knife attack in Belfast.
After returning to their station, they surrendered pagers, were escorted out, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service declined comment.

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Story summary

Sky News helicopter footage captured two firefighters shoving each other during a vehicle fire broadcast live.
They were suspended on pay after the incident at a Department for Infrastructure site near the Sandyknowes roundabout, Newtownabbey.
The fire had been deliberately set amid disorder following a recent knife attack in Belfast.
After returning to their station, they surrendered pagers, were escorted out, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service declined comment.