Republicans destroy Orange Hall in fire attack
Police are treating a fire at an Orange hall at Lavin, near Armoy in County Antrim , as arson.
Firefighters were called to the blaze in the early hours of this morning.
The interior of the Orange hall at Drones Road was destroyed in the fire. It is understood paint was also splashed against the front of the building. 
Loyal order members say the hall, which was built in 1875, will have to be totally rebuilt.
North Antrim Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Assembly member Mervyn Storey said it was a terrible blow.
He said:"The scene is one of total devastation. The building has been totally destroyed and there's a great sense of disappointment.
"The hall was attacked by paint first and there was access to the roof so I don't think there's any doubt that this was deliberate.
"This was people who set out to destroy an Orange Hall and I am challenging republican leaders to condemn this with no ambiguity."
He said 30 members of the lodge were determined to rebuild the hall by next summer and said they would be on parade later today in Ballycastle.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Coleraine Station Commander Charlie McAuley said four fire appliances from Ballymoney and Ballycastle had attended the blaze.
County Antrim grand master Robert McIlroy said it was a blow for the community which had "rallied around their hall".
"The hall was used very much for the community. The doors were open and I feel it has done a great deal of damage to the community," Mr McIlroy said.
However, he said he believed people would show the "faith" and "resolve to get the hall rebuilt".
County Antrim Orange Order Grand Master Robert McIlroy said there was no place for such "sectarianism or bigotry." 12 th July 2006
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