AN ORANGE HALL IN Derry has been damaged in an arson attack.
Detectives in Northern Ireland are appealing for information after the Salterstown Hall in Magherafelt was set on fire at around 4am on Monday morning.
Detective Inspector Will Tate said substantial damage has been caused to the hall and police are treating it as deliberate.
The arson attack has been condemned by political figures, such as the Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness.
The BBC reports that a lodge banner, collarettes and musical instruments were destroyed in the fire.
John Bryson, the lodge’s deputy master told the BBC that he did not understand why their hall was targeted, stating:
“All through the Troubles, when they were really bad, we never had any problems.”
This is the second such attack on an Orange hall in the north this month. Sectarian graffiti was spray painted on the walls of a hall in Lisburn on 4 August.
Detectives investigating the fire in Magherafelt said anyone with information can call the 101 number quoting reference number 164. Alternatively information about crime can be passed via the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
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