Hackney fire investigated as anti-Semitic attack after blaze ripped through 3-storey house & left 4 hurt as man arrested
Watch the scene above as cops reveal comments which triggered arrest and investigation into antisemitism
AN anti-Semitism probe has been launched after a fire ripped through a home, injuring four people.
Emergency services raced to Hackney, London around noon yesterday after reports a three-storey house was up in flames.
Footage showed massive flames leaping from the windows of the house, while black smoke poured into the sky.
Four people were injured in the blaze, which was thought to have been started deliberately.
A fifth man, in his 60s, was also injured in the fire but he was later arrested.
Cops today revealed that when the man was detained at the Newick Road scene he was said to have been threatening and made “allegedly antisemitic” comments.
He remains in hospital today.
This will be extremely concerning news for our Jewish community
Chief Supt James Conway
Met Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway today 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.
“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.”
The London Fire Bridge sent around 60 firefighters to battle the blaze, which destroyed the ground and first floors of the home.
A Community Security Trust spokesperson said: “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.”
Hate crimes against Jews hit record high
By Noa Hoffman, Ryan Sabey & Harry Cole
HATE crimes against Jews hit a high of 4,000 last year, shock figures show.
Anti-Semitic abuse soared as war raged in the Middle East between Israel and Gaza.
A damning dossier by the Jewish Community Security Trust charity found race hate against Jews was up by 147 per cent in 2023.
Today the CST said that was entirely due to a surge in incidents following the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists.
In 2022 there were 1,662 incidents recorded. That rocketed to 4,000 last year.
Between January 1 and October 6, the CST had recorded an average of five incidents per day.
But from October 7 to December 31 this rose to an average of 31.
On university campuses there was a 203 per cent rise, from 60 in 2022 to 182 in 2023.