Magherafelt: PSNI treating Orange hall blaze as a hate crime

Police probing the circumstances surrounding a fire at an Orange hall near Magherafelt yesterday (Sunday) evening have revealed they are treating the blaze as a hate crime.

Some 29 firefighters tackled the blaze at the premises on the Aghagaskin Road.

PSNI Detective Sergeant Brian Reid said: "We believe at this time that entry was forced through a window at the rear of the property and that accelerant has then been used to start the fire which has left the building extensively damaged.

"An investigation is under way and we are treating the incident as a hate crime."

Mr Reid appealed to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Aghagaskin Road area on Sunday or who captured dash-cam footage from the area that could assist the investigation to come forward.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and UUP leader Doug Beattie both condemned the incident.

DUP Mid Ulster MLA Keith Buchanan said the hall has been seriously damaged and urged all political leaders to condemn the blaze.

"I visited the hall this evening as fire crews were battling to bring the blaze under control. One of the metal window-guards had been removed when the fire was discovered. The fire has seriously damaged the hall with the roof collapsed," he said.

"The police are investigating the circumstances. I call on anyone with information to contact the police in Magherafelt.

"I also call on all political leaders to condemn those who continue to attack Orange halls.

"It speaks volumes that this hall had to have metal sheets across all its windows and doors in the first place. There is no place for such hatred in society. The men and women of that lodge have every right to exist in Mid Ulster and live peaceably."

TUV Mid Ulster spokesperson Glen Moore said the fire is a "serious escalation of what has been a series of sinister developments in south Co Londonderry in recent weeks".

"Recently, I have had occasion to highlight the attacks on Innishrush where residents have had to resort to makeshift barriers in an effort to stop those who have sought to intimidate residents with fireworks and Republican chanting late at night and in the early hours," he said.

A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said they were called to Ballynougher Orange Hall at 4.52pm on Sunday.

"Fire appliances from Maghera, Magherafelt and Springfield, an aerial appliance, a water tanker, 29 firefighters and two officers were in attendance. Firefighters used four jets to extinguish the fire," they said.