Armed rioters set fire to at least 30 homes and businesses in working-class neighborhoods across South and West Belfast late Tuesday, forcing residents to flee into the night as flames engulfed rooftops. Firefighters from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) battled blazes in areas including the Ballymurphy, Falls Road, and Shankill Road districts, where tensions have simmered for decades. The youngest evacuee, a two-month-old baby, was pulled from a burning terraced house on Beechmount Avenue by neighbors before firefighters arrived.

The sudden escalation followed a protest near the Springfield Road interface, which turned violent when masked individuals began hurling petrol bombs and incendiary devices. Police confirmed they made 12 arrests by Wednesday morning, including three juveniles, but the majority of the fires were started without direct confrontation with officers. Residents described scenes of chaos, with streets filled with smoke and the sound of sirens as families carried children and pets through the dark, some still in pajamas.

The Northern Ireland Police Service (PSNI) has launched a joint operation with MI5’s counterterrorism unit to trace the origins of the coordinated attacks, which bear hallmarks of organized paramilitary factions. One senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the arson spree a “deliberate campaign to destabilize the peace process.” The PSNI has increased patrols in flashpoint areas but admits the fires spread too rapidly for preventative measures to be effective.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attacks, stating they “undermine the hard-won stability in Northern Ireland” and pledged £2 million in emergency housing support for displaced families. Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill called for calm, urging political leaders to “reject those intent on dragging us back into conflict.” Meanwhile, the Loyalist Communities Council warned of “escalating tensions” and accused dissident republican groups of orchestrating the violence.

The fires have left entire families homeless just weeks before Christmas, with one mother in Ballymurphy telling reporters she lost everything but her child. “We had 15 years in that house,” she said. “Our photos, our baby’s first shoes—gone in an hour.” Community leaders report that local charities are overwhelmed by requests for food, clothing, and temporary shelter, with some evacuees already sleeping in cars or on church floors. The Belfast City Council has opened three emergency rest centers but warns the demand may outstrip capacity by Thursday.

Social media footage shows masked individuals cheering as flames consumed buildings, with hashtags #BelfastBurning and #NoSurrender trending locally. The PSNI has appealed for witnesses, promising anonymity for those who come forward. Meanwhile, a Belfast-based community worker described the night as “a coordinated attack on ordinary people caught in the middle.” As the investigation unfolds, the question remains: who lit the first match, and why now?