MEMBERS of the Royal Black Institution expressed deep anger yesterday at what they claimed was an arson attack that extensively damaged their headquarters, the historic Brownlow House in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
The Gothic style Victorian building, dating from 1836, was swept by fire in the early hours of yesterday morning and, as well as structural damage, many valuable paintings, banners and artefacts were destroyed.
Firefighters from seven stations tackled the blaze, which was first noticed by a passing police patrol at 3 a.m. The building had suffered minor damage in a petrol bomb attack two weeks ago. Yesterday's fire came on the eve of "Black Saturday" today, when 40,000 members of the Royal Black Institution are due to demonstrate throughout the North.
Orange and Black members worked yesterday to salvage what they could from the wrecked building. Although police and fire officers said it was too early to say how the fire started, the County Grand Orange Lodge of Armagh condemned what it called an "arson attack".
The Lodge said in a statement: "This wanton destruction is not simply an attack on property, but is a direct attack on the culture and heritage of our people."
Brownlow House, also known as Lurgan Castle, is owned by the Orange Order and was regarded as the largest Orange Hall in the world. The demesne and lake around it are a public park.
Senior officers of the Orange Order said yesterday that, whatever the cost, the building would be repaired and restored.
A Catholic Church in north Belfast also suffered fire damage in a petrol bomb attack on Thursday night. The roof of the Church of the Resurrection on Cavehill Road was extensively damaged.
A Sinn Fein spokesman, Mr Joe Austin, last night called for an immediate end to all sectarian attacks on Catholic or Protestant property. He said these attacks only heightened tension and were a direct attack on the views and opinions of those who used the property.