London, United Kingdom — March 23, 2026
A suspected hate crime is under investigation in London after Hatzola ambulances serving the Jewish community were set on fire in an overnight arson attack in Golders Green.
The incident occurred in northwest London, where four ambulances belonging to the volunteer emergency service were engulfed in flames in the early hours of Monday.
Emergency services responded swiftly after receiving calls at around 01:40 GMT. The London Fire Brigade deployed six fire engines and approximately 40 firefighters to control the blaze, which was brought under control by 03:06 GMT.
Authorities reported that multiple cylinders inside the vehicles exploded during the fire, causing damage to nearby residential property, including shattered windows in an adjacent building. No injuries have been reported.
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation and are treating the case as a suspected antisemitic hate crime. Officers remained at the scene as forensic examinations began.
Community leaders expressed concern over the nature of the attack. Security officials noted similarities to recent arson incidents targeting Jewish-linked properties in European cities, raising broader concerns about safety.
The attack comes amid a documented rise in antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom and across Europe since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in recent years.
Authorities have not confirmed any suspects so far, and investigations are ongoing.
