The hall's roof collapsed in the fire

The fire at Ballyrea Orange Hall, Baltarran Road, Armagh, happened at 0200 GMT on Tuesday.

Police believe a side window was used to get into the building and start the blaze.

A passing motorist spotted the flames and raised the alarm.

No-one was in the hall at the time. The building's roof collapsed in the fire.

It was last used for an Ulster Scots night on Saturday.

Democratic Unionist assembly member Paul Berry said it was "clearly a sectarian attack".

"It is sad that in days like this, when we are told there is a so-called peace process, that the Protestant/unionist culture is being attacked," he said.

Ulster Unionist assembly member Danny Kennedy also described the arson attack as sectarian.

"This is not the first time we have witnessed this kind of sectarian attack on Protestant culture," he said.

"There have been a spate of similar attacks in recent times."

Police in Armagh have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 37523311 or at the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.