The fire that destroyed the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Oromocto, N.B., was deliberately set, police say.

District 2 RCMP said they have identified a person of interest in the case, but no charges have been laid.

Thursday's fire is believed to have started in the rear of the building and spread quickly. By the time firefighters arrived, there was little they could do to save the building.

Fire departments from Fredericton, Oromocto and New Maryland helped battle the blaze.

The RCMP and the province's Office of the Fire Marshall investigated the fire.

Harold Perrin, president of the legion, said Friday that members had just finished a memorial wall for veterans and soldiers who died. Along with the memorial wall, the legion pipe band's drums, pipes, and uniforms were all destroyed.

"It's really devastating to lose this much. I know I find it really hard, being a veteran. I can't understand why something like this would happen, especially when they suggest that this could be arson," Perrin said.

"That makes me feel bad. It makes me feel that someone just wasn't thinking or didn't care. I don't know. But anyway, we'll go on with life, that's all you can do."

Perrin said the legion plans to rebuild but most of the memorabilia cannot be replaced.