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Orange hall is destroyed by fire | Orange hall is destroyed by fire |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An Orange hall in County Armagh has been destroyed in an overnight fire. | An Orange hall in County Armagh has been destroyed in an overnight fire. |
The Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the Carrickawilkan Orange hall near Darkley at about 0100 BST on Friday. | The Fire and Rescue Service said they were called to the Carrickawilkan Orange hall near Darkley at about 0100 BST on Friday. |
Fire crews from Keady, Newtownhamilton and Armagh attended the blaze, but it was completely alight when they arrived. | Fire crews from Keady, Newtownhamilton and Armagh attended the blaze, but it was completely alight when they arrived. |
Fire Commander Martin McStay said it took about an hour to get the fire under control. | Fire Commander Martin McStay said it took about an hour to get the fire under control. |
His officers were not able to enter the remains of the hall to investigate the cause as the building was too unstable. | His officers were not able to enter the remains of the hall to investigate the cause as the building was too unstable. |
The police are now investigating. | The police are now investigating. |
'Setback' | |
Drew Nelson from the Orange Order said that hall was used by a small lodge of about 14 members. | |
"I think our members will be very, very surprised at what's happened. | |
"It was burnt down in 1970 and rebuilt, and right through the Troubles there were really just Orange meetings in the hall. | |
"It was just during this last winter they held a dance in the hall as they've slowly regained confidence and tried to reopen it. | |
"It's a big setback for the Protestant community in that area," said Mr Nelson. |