Four ambulances belonging to a Jewish Community Ambulance service have been set on fire in London in a suspected “anti-Semitic hate crime”.
The Sun reports police were called to the scene outside a synagogue in Golders Green at around 1.45am local time by the fire service – with footage showing the alleged arsonists in masks.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken out to condemn the horrific attack at Golders Green – one of Britain’s largest Jewish communities.
The ambulances could be seen engulfed in flames as loud explosions were heard in the area.
Officers rushed to the scene in Highfield Road and found the Hatzalah ambulances were on fire.
The three suspects, seen in the stark footage, remain at large.
Nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution and road have been closed.
The explosions are believed to have been set off by gas canisters on-board the ambulances.
Mr Starmer wrote on X: “My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news.
“Antisemitism has no place in our society.
“Anyone with any information must come forward to the police.”
Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the local area said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.
“We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.
“There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.
“We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence.”
Hatzolah is a non-profit, volunteer organisation that provides free emergency medical care and transport to hospitals for Jewish communities.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has called the arson attacks a “particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society”.
He took to X to say: “The targeting of Hatzola by people so committed to terror, hatred and the desecration of life is a most painful illustration of the ongoing battle between those who sanctify life and those who seek to destroy it.
“At a time when Jewish communities around the world are facing a growing pattern of these violent attacks, we will meet this moment with shared resolve and stand together against hatred and intimidation.”
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “This is a hideous antisemitic attack on a charity which provides vital ambulance services.
“I visited Hatzola myself just a few months ago and saw the incredible work they do.
“The Jewish community has been targeted again and again – including in the Islamist attack on Heaton Park synagogue last autumn.
“Whoever is guilty of this sickening crime must go to jail for a long time – and if they are not British citizens, they must then be deported.
“We must make sure that the UK is safe for our Jewish community and we must relentlessly work to eliminate the ancient scourge of antisemitism.”
Ward councillor Dean Cohen told the Jewish News the incident is “particularly chilling” and would send “shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over anti-Semitism in the UK”.
“It’s beyond time for the authorities to wake and do more to tackle this hate running riot,” he said.
The London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and 40 firefighters attended the scene, following calls to emergency services from residents at 1.40am.
“Multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats,” LFB said in a statement.
The fire was brought under control by 3.06am and no injuries have been reported.
Charity and neighbourhood watch team Shomrim North West London said in an X post: “Emergency services are on scene following a deliberate incident involving Hatzola ambulances being set alight.
“The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device.
“Although some buildings have been evacuated, no casualties have been reported.
“Please avoid the area while investigations continue.”
Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors anti-Semitism in the UK, said: “We are aware of multiple Hatzola ambulances that have been deliberately set alight in London.
“This has obvious comparison to similar anti-Semitic arson attacks recently in Belgium and the Netherlands.”
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
