Republicans have been blamed after an Orange Hall was destroyed by fire today. Loyal order members say the hall, at Lavin near Armoy, Co Antrim, built in 1875, will have to be totally rebuilt.
North Antrim Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Assemblyman Mervyn Storey said it was a terrible blow.
"The scene is one of total devastation. The building has been totally destroyed and there's a great sense of disappointment," he said.
"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. "We will treat it as a deliberate fire until it is proven otherwise but we will consider all possibilities," he added.
Orange Order Co Antrim Grand Master Robert McIlroy said the arson attack was a blow for the local community. "The hall was used very much for the community," he said.
"The doors were open. This has done a great deal of damage to the community."
SDLP North Antrim Assemblyman Sean Farren said: "This is precisely what we did not need ahead of the march in Dunloy today. But let us be very clear that this is precisely why the hall was attacked, and let no one play into the hands of the arsonists.
"I call upon everyone involved to ensure an incident-free outcome today and to deny the fire-bombers the strife they want."
PA