A fire at a house in east London that injured four people is being investigated as a possible anti-Semitic hate crime, Britain’s Metropolitan Police said.
A man in his 60s was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of arson in a fire that destroyed a house in Newick Road, Hackney, at around midday.
Police said the suspect yelled “threatening remarks, some of which were allegedly anti-Semitic” when he was arrested.
The Metropolitan Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and making anti-Semitic remarks.
Four people were injured in the fire, with non-life-threatening injuries, and the suspect also suffered minor injuries. He is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
The London Fire Brigade said eight fire engines and about 60 firefighters were involved in putting out the blaze, which destroyed the ground floor and first floor of the three-storey house.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said police currently believed the motive centered on “local housing-related issues”.
However, he added that the nature of the comments made by the suspect during his arrest warranted further investigation.
Four people were injured in the attack, with no life-threatening injuries.
(My London/BMP Media)
“Since his arrest the man made a number of threatening comments, some of which are alleged to be anti-Semitic,” Mr Conway said.
“We take incidents of anti-Semitism very seriously and are therefore investigating this incident as a potential hate crime.
“There is no doubt that this is extremely worrying news for the Jewish community in Hackney and beyond and my officers and I will be working with partners, including the Community Safety Trust and Shomrim, to answer their questions questions and listen to their opinions.
“While the investigation will continue to explore the motive for this crime, we believe at this stage it is primarily focused on issues related to local housing.
“At this very early stage we have no indication that the motive is related to any specific local or global event.”
He added that the Met had increased patrols and police visibility as the Jewish community began to celebrate the Purim holiday.
A spokesman for the Community Safety Trust said: “This appears to be a very serious incident and we thank the police for their swift action.
“We have been in contact with the police since yesterday and we will work with them to provide reassurance to the local Jewish community over the coming days.”
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