Golders Green ambulances destroyed in suspected antisemitic arson attack

Four ambulances serving a Jewish volunteer emergency service have been destroyed in a suspected antisemitic arson attack in north London, prompting a major police investigation and widespread concern across the capital.

The fire broke out at around 01:40 GMT on Highfield Road in Golders Green, where vehicles belonging to the Hatzola service were found engulfed in flames. The London Fire Brigade deployed six engines and around 40 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.

Multiple cylinders inside the ambulances exploded, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area and shattering windows in nearby flats. Residents were evacuated as a precaution, with around 30 people taken to a local shelter. No injuries have been reported.

The Metropolitan Police say the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. No arrests have been made. Discussions are under way within the force about whether counter-terrorism officers should take a leading role.

The attack has caused visible damage to the nearby Machzike Hadath Synagogue, where stained glass windows were blown out and parts of the roof and interior affected by smoke.

Jack Taub, part of the synagogue’s leadership team, said the ambulances had been parked in the synagogue’s car park. Speaking about the incident, he described a sense of shock within the community, while also noting that heightened tensions had led to increased security in recent months.

Accounts from the scene describe a sudden and frightening escalation. One resident told how their daughter witnessed individuals setting fire to the ambulances before fleeing, leaving her “terrified” and prompting an emergency call to the fire brigade.

Damon Hoff, president of the synagogue opposite the scene, said the Hatzola service is used by both Jewish and non-Jewish residents. He described it as a vital part of local emergency response, adding that the destruction of the vehicles would have a direct impact on the wider community.

Hatzola, established in 1979, operates as a volunteer emergency medical service responding to thousands of incidents each year across north London, working alongside statutory services including the London Ambulance Service and the fire brigade.

Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust, said the attack would send shockwaves across the Jewish community and beyond. He warned that such incidents are intended to create fear, noting that anyone in the area could have been injured.

Political leaders across the UK condemned the attack. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as a “horrific antisemitic attack” and said he had been in contact with community leaders. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called it a “sickening attack”, while MPs and party leaders from across the political spectrum expressed solidarity with the Jewish community.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the targeting of the ambulances as a “particularly sickening assault”, emphasising that their sole purpose is to save lives.

The incident comes amid growing concern over antisemitic incidents in the UK and across Europe. Recent attacks on Jewish buildings in Belgium and the Netherlands, alongside ongoing investigations in the UK involving alleged surveillance of synagogues, have heightened fears within communities.

In Golders Green, the immediate response has been one of shock, but also resilience. Community figures have stressed that while the attack has caused fear, it will not deter those who rely on services like Hatzola or those committed to maintaining community life.

The incident affects a vital emergency service and raises wider questions about safety, cohesion and the protection of life-saving services in London.

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[Image Credit | © Reuters]

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