Shocking moment fight breaks out between two firefighters during Belfast riots
In the middle of the chaos in Belfast as rioters took to the streets of the city for another evening following the brutal stabbing of Stephen Ogilvie, two firefighters were caught on camera having a fight of their own. During the news channel's live footage from the air, two firefighters appeared to face off before shoving each other next to an engine while their colleagues were using a hose to put out flames coming from a lorry.
Sky News' helicopter camera then panned back to show the men still fighting before another colleague intervened to break them up. The spat happened amid days of violence in the area after Olgilvie lost his eye and was badly injured after being stabbed on Monday evening.
Following the attack, which has sparked public uproar, the suspect Hadi Alodid was charged with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade in a public place and threats to kill.
The 30-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday and is being held in police custody.On Tuesday and Wednesday evening, rioters took to the streets to torch cars and a city bus. Meanwhile, immigrant families were forced to flee their homes, which had been set alight by protestors.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told Sky News today: "Well, if you are targeting people on the basis of the colour of their skin, how else can you describe them? That is racist thuggery, there's no question about it at all."
In the wake of the riots, Ogilvie's family said in a statement: "We have been left feeling disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland in the wake of what happened.
"We want to make it absolutely clear that to do this in response is not supported by our family, and peaceful protest is only ever the way forward.
"We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including from within our healthcare system and hospitality sector, and we depend on them to make our country work.