Police investigate as Orange hall damaged by fire

An Orange hall has been extensively damaged by a fire.

The interior of the Salterstown Orange hall near Magherafelt was gutted in the overnight blaze, with banners, collarettes and band instruments destroyed.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the PSNI are working to determine the cause.

Orangemen fear arsonists targeted the building.

The fire was discovered in the early hours of this morning.

A spokesman for Salterstown Loyal Orange Lodge 482 said members were "shocked and crestfallen".

"The hall has been a part of community life for over 100 years, serving as a meeting place for local groups, and its unavailability for a period will be keenly felt," he said.

"Despite this major setback, the lodge and the wider Orange fraternity will rally around and ensure our hall is once again fully restored."