An arson attack targeting emergency vehicles belonging to a Jewish charity is being investigated by counter-terrorism police in London.
The incident took place in Golders Green in the early hours of the morning. According to police, officers were alerted by the London Fire Brigade at approximately 01:45 GMT after a fire broke out in a synagogue car park. Four ambulances operated by the volunteer emergency service Hatzola were found engulfed in flames.
Explosions were reportedly heard during the blaze, believed to have been caused by oxygen canisters inside the vehicles. Despite the destruction, officials confirmed that the ambulance service remains fully operational.
Authorities are treating the incident as an antisemitic hate crime. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, speaking from the scene, described the attack as serious and confirmed that counter-terrorism policing is leading the investigation, although it has not yet been formally declared a terrorist incident.
Emergency services evacuated 34 nearby residents as a precaution, but they were allowed to return to their homes shortly afterward. No injuries have been reported.
Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage, which appears to show three individuals wearing hoods pouring an accelerant on the ambulances before setting them alight and fleeing the scene. So far, no arrests have been made.
Police are also examining online claims from a group that has reportedly taken responsibility for the attack. However, authorities say the authenticity of these claims has not yet been verified.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to identify those responsible and determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.