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10th June 2023
01:01pm BST

Last year's reported 202ft bonfire in Larne. (Credit: Mal McCann)[/caption]
Earlier this week, an SDLP councillor for Belfast, Carl Whyte, said that the "prospect of obtaining a Guinness World Record is unfortunately encouraging bonfire builders to build pyres to heights which are extremely dangerous".
This is a fact borne out by unfortunate events last summer in which 36-year-old John Steele died from a fall during the construction of a bonfire in the Antiville area, a short distance from this year's planned pyre.
Writing to Guinness World Records, the councillor pleaded with the organisation not to become involved with the Larne bonfire builders, out of concern for their safety.
In a brief statement released to Irish News, Guinness World Records said that they "have no plans to send an adjudicator" to assess the height of the Craigyhill bonfire, a decision which Mr. Whyte welcomed.
"I hope that this stance will encourage bonfire builders to keep bonfires within safe limits in future and not put bonfire builders and local communities at risk by building huge pyres".
*Feature image of bonfire courtesy of Mal McCann
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