An Orange Hall was destroyed in a suspected arson attack early today.
The hall on the Darkley Road in Keady, Co Armagh, was well alight when firefighters arrived shortly after 1am.
Despite three crews from Keady, Newtownhamilton and Armagh fighting the fire they were unable to save the building.
A police spokesman said they were investigating the cause of the fire which was suspected to have been started deliberately.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie condemned the burning of the Orange Hall, which she said looked to have been started deliberately.
Ms Ritchie said, "I have made some enquiries and although the police have not yet confirmed it formally, everything points to the fire being started deliberately.
"Such wanton destruction of a hall that was used by members of a small Orange Lodge is a disgraceful act that must be rejected by all right-thinking people."
The SDLP MLA said apart from depriving people of a valuable community facility the fire would do nothing to help improve community relations.
"We have been divided in Northern Ireland for decades but we have surely finally come to realise that the only way forward is to build our shared future. Destruction of this kind is not just inflicting damage on isolated minorities — it is an affront to us all," the minister added.
Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins spoke out against the attack on the Orange Hall and the one the previous night on the home of Sinn Féin Stormont minister and MP Connor Murphy.
He said both attacks were carried out by those who wanted to raise tensions in the area and called for anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI.
"Those behind these attacks want to raise tensions in the community and their actions are in stark contrast with the great majority of people who have repeatedly made clear that they want nothing to do with sectarianism and intimidation," he said.
PA