Kamal Ghorui
Four vehicles belonging to the Jewish community ambulance service were set on fire on Monday in Golders Green, London. The British police are treating the incident as an ‘antisemitic hate crime’.According to CCTV footage, three people were seen approaching one of the ambulances and setting it on fire. The suspects were later seen fleeing the scene, with plumes of thick smoke rising into the sky.Additional videos circulating online on social media showed the vehicles ablaze and the smoke spreading across the area.The vehicles belong to Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer organisation providing emergency medical response. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said four ambulances were damaged, with multiple cylinders exploding and causing windows to break in a nearby block of flats. As of now, no injuries have been reported, according to AP. Fire crews responded swiftly, sending six engines and around 40 firefighters to the scene to control the blaze. Officers were called to Highfield Road, Golders Green, around 1.45 am (local time) following reports of the fire.Police Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who oversees policing in the area, said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern. Officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries. We are examining CCTV and online footage and believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage. There have been no arrests yet, and we urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible, anonymously if preferred.“She added that additional patrols are being deployed and police are engaging with faith leaders to reassure the local community, as reported by the Guardian. Shomrim, a neighbourhood watch group in Golders Green, reported hearing loud explosions early Monday. They clarified that the blasts were caused by oxygen tanks in the ambulances, not by bombs or explosive devices. Some buildings were evacuated as a precaution, but no casualties occurred.The Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the incident and authorities have urged residents to avoid the area while inquiries are ongoing.
