Police are investigating an antisemitic motive after a man was arrested for an arson attack on a Hackney house which resulted in five people being treated in hospital.
Sixty firefighters fought the fire at the house in Newick Road, Clapton on Wednesday afternoon. Eight fire engines from Stoke Newington, Bethnal Green and Shoreditch were among those that attended the scene.
The man, who was arrested on suspicion of endangering life by arson is in his sixties and was one of those injured in the fire and taken to hospital.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway was quoted as saying: “On his arrest, the man made a number of threatening comments, some of which were allegedly antisemitic. We take instances of antisemitism extremely seriously and for this reason we’re investigating the incident as a potential hate crime.
“Undoubtedly this will be extremely concerning news for our Jewish communities in Hackney and beyond, and I and my officers will be engaging with partners including the Community Safety Trust and the Shomrim [neighbourhood watch group] to answer their questions and listen to their views.
“While the investigation will continue to explore the motivation for this offence, we believe at this stage that this was centred on a localised housing-related issue. We have no indication, at this very early stage, that the motivation was connected with any specific local or global events.”
Police have urged the Jewish community to not worry and that they will “have a robust policing plan in place, including increased patrols and enhanced police visibility.”
The incident comes at a time when Jewish community leaders in London have warned that the centre of the capital has become a ‘no-go’ area during to regular pro-Palestinian marches and there have been reports that large numbers of Jewish families are considering leaving the city. Since the Hamas attack on Israel in October and Israel’s retaliation, there have been a rise in antisemitic incidents in Hackney, which has one of the largest Jewish populations in the country.
A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust, which provides security guidance for the Jewish community, told the Guardian: “This appears to be a very serious incident and we appreciate the police’s swift action. We have been in contact with police since yesterday and we will be working with them to provide reassurance to the local Jewish community over the coming days.”
The ground floor and first floor of the three-storey house was destroyed by the fire. Three people left the building before the Brigade’s arrival and four were taken to hospital by London ambulance, London Fire Brigade said. One of the fire brigades 32-metre turntable ladders was used as a water tower.
Neighbouring streets were closed by fire officials. Transport for London (TFL) announced that Lower Clapton Road was blocked due to a emergency service incident. This caused a build-up of traffic in the area and buses diverting.
