Huge house fire that engulfed entire home in blazing inferno could be antisemitic attack, police say
The fire devastated two floors of a three-storey home on Newick Road in Hackney and injured four people
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A fire which ripped through an East London house yesterday afternoon is being treated as a potential antisemitic hate crime, police have said.
The fire - which devastated two floors of a three-storey home on Newick Road in Hackney - injured four people, none of whom are in a life-threatening condition.
A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life near the scene, and made what the Metropolitan Police said were threatening and "allegedly antisemitic" comments.
The man also suffered minor injuries as a result of the fire, and was hospitalised following the blaze.
London Fire Brigade said it had dispatched eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters to the blaze on Newick Road
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Detective Chief Superintendent 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.
"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.
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"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.
"I know our Jewish communities are about to begin celebrations for Purim, and we have a robust policing plan in place, including increased patrols and enhanced police visibility, to ensure the festivities can be enjoyed safely and securely."
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters, including those from nearby Shoreditch, Stoke Newington and Bethnal Green, had attended the scene.
The Brigade confirmed the ground and first floors of the three-storey house were destroyed by the fire, and noted that three people had left the building before firefighters arrived while four were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
Station Commander Alan Bendell, who attended the scene, said: "Crews worked hard to bring the fire under control and stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties."
Firefighters had stymied the blaze by 3.28pm yesterday afternoon, the Evening Standard reported, while the LFB said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Police have urged members of the public with information to call the police on 101 quoting ref CAD 3285/20Mar.