Horror moment fire rips through family home in terrifying 'anti-Semitic attack'
Scotland Yard says detectives are investigating a potential hate crime after the blaze in Hackney, east London.
An investigation is underway after a fire tore through a home, injuring four people in a possible act of anti-Semitism.
A three storey house in Hackney, east London, was ablaze on Wednesday (March 20) with the emergency services rushing to the scene at about midday.
Horrific video footage shows flames filling a ground floor room of the house and black smoke billowing from the windows.
Four people were injured in the fire, with a fifth, a man in his 60s, also suffering injuries. He was later arrested, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Scotland Yard today (March 21) confirmed the man was detained at the scene in Newick Road. He is alleged to have been threatening and to have made anti-Semitic comments.
House fire in Hackney today https://t.co/YOQswKH4fR pic.twitter.com/fkOLa1Yzn2
— UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) March 20, 2024
Det Ch Supt James Conway said: "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 to answer their questions and listen to their views."
Det Ch Supt Conway said while the investigation continues to explore the motivation for the alleged offence, Scotland Yard believes at this stage the incident was centred on an issue over housing.
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About 60 firefighters fought the flames at the end of terrace house. The ground floor and first floor of the three-storey property were destroyed by the fire, according to London Fire Brigade (LFB).
The four people injured were taken to hospital by paramedics. Station Commander Alan Bendell said crews worked hard to tame the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.
LFB was called just before 1pm with the fire under control by about 3.30pm. Firefighters from stations in Shoreditch, Stoke Newington, Bethnal Green and others were at the scene of the blaze, after 999 control officers took 31 calls reportin the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and the Met.