ARSONISTS have targeted a historic house in Coleraine, Co Derry.
Laurel Hill House, a former UDR base, suffered significant damage after a blaze swept through the building shortly before 3am on Wednesday.
Designed by renowned architect Charles Lanyon, it was built in the mid-19th century.
Anti-Sinn Féin graffiti was also painted on a next-door building.
Police said they are treating the graffiti as a sectarian hate crime.
Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald urged anyone with information to pass it on to police.
"It is particularly concerning that this attack has taken place when the north west is currently welcoming thousands of visitors to The Open in Portrush and this is not the image we want to be projecting," she said.
"This attack will not deter us from providing first class service for everybody, regardless of their community background and we won’t be intimidated from representing those who elected us.
"I would urge anyone with information on the fire to bring it forward to the PSNI."
