Arsonist blamed for Orange hall blaze

An Orange Lodge Hall was destroyed today in an arson attack in Co Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Fire crews attended the blaze at the hall in Causanagh Road, Loughgall, but the premises was gutted.

Detectives investigating the fire are treating it as arson after forensic officers completed an examination of the scene this afternoon.

A spokesman for the Orange Order expressed sadness at the blaze.

He said: “It is very disappointing that anyone feels driven to do something like this.”

Police have appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to come forward.

The head of the Orange Lodge later hit out at the “cowardly attack” and vowed to rebuild the destroyed hall.

Worshipful Master William Anderson said: “Orangeism would continue to thrive in the area despite the arson attack.

“The Orange Hall is not only used by the Orange Lodge but by other organisations too,” he said.

“We cannot understand why our hall has been attacked. It is situated in an area with good community relations and those who carried out this attack have no support within their own community.

“If those who carried out the attack think that they have in some way stopped the Orange Lodge from functioning then they are far from the truth.

“Whilst obviously very annoyed about such a cowardly attack, we have already received tremendous support and are looking forward to the challenge of rebuilding a new hall.”