London house set on fire in possible anti-Semitic hate crime as four injured

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A fire that engulfed a house in east London and injured four folks is being investigated as a possible anti-semitic hate crime, the Metropolitan Police has mentioned.

A person in his 60s was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of beginning the fire, which gutted a house on Newick Road in Hackney at round noon.

Police mentioned the suspect later shouted “threatening comments, some of which were allegedly antisemitic” when he was being arrested.

The Metropolitan Police mentioned the person was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to hazard life, as nicely for making the allegedly antisemitic feedback.

Four folks suffered non-life-threatening accidents as a results of the fire, whereas the suspect additionally was left with minor accidents. He is at the moment being handled in hospital.

London Fire Brigade mentioned eight fire engines and roughly 60 firefighters tackled the fire, which destroyed the bottom and first flooring of the three-storey house.

Detective chief superintendent James Conway mentioned officers at the moment imagine that the motivation for the offence was centred on a “localised housing-related issue”.

However, he added that the character of the suspect’s feedback upon his arrest warranted additional investigation.

“On his arrest the man made a number of threatening comments, some of which were allegedly antisemitic,” Mr Conway mentioned.

“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.

“Whilst 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.”

He added that the Met had elevated patrols and enhanced police visibility as Jewish communities start celebrations for the Purim vacation interval.

A Community Security Trust spokesperson mentioned: “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.”