Hi °C | Lo °C The Sinn Fein chairman of Strabane District Council today offered to help Orangemen rebuild a hall that was destroyed by fire.
Gerard Foley - who said he hopes a forensic probe proves the fire started accidentally - vowed to support plans to rebuild the Craig Memorial Hall which was destroyed in an early morning blaze yesterday.
And, in his role as council chairman, he offered to help the Craig Memorial lodge to raise funds to restore the historic building.
Fire crews from Londonderry were called to the blaze at the hall shortly after midnight yesterday and the fire took several hours to bring under control.
More forensic tests were today being carried out by police to try to establish the cause of the fire.
Trevor Ferguson, of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said: " When the crew arrived, the fire had already gone through the roof. That suggests that the fire had been burning for some time. The roof was completely destroyed and the building was extensively damaged."
The Loyal Order lost priceless memorabilia in the blaze. The hall was also used by the Black Preceptory.
Mr Foley said he saw the hall ablaze, adding: "The flames were out over the roof, just sky high. Your heart goes out to the people that are part of the Craig Memorial Hall."
He said he liked to think the fire was accidental, pointing out that it had remained untouched throughout the Troubles.
He also offered to support any plans brought before the council, and said: " If there's some sort of fundraising to be done, and they want the council chairman involved, I'll be there."
Ulster Unionist councillor, Derek Hussey, said that while the cause of the fire has not been officially determined, he feared it may have been started deliberately.
He added: "The Craig Memorial Hall has existed in a very strong nationalist community for many years. There have been some minor difficulties over the years over the routes of feeder parades on the 12th of July and church services.
"But even at the height of the Troubles the hall was never attacked in this way. But I imagine the stoic nature of lodge members will see them find a new meeting hall, whether it is here or elsewhere remains to be seen."
Sinn Fein councillor Jarleth McNulty said: "The shock and sadness at the loss of the Craig Memorial will not only be felt by the patrons of the hall, but will be shared right across the local community as it was an important part of the heritage of the area."
