Dozens Of Golders Green Residents Evacuated In Middle Of Night After Explosions Rocked Jewish Ambulance Base

Dozens of residents were woken and forced to leave their homes in the early hours of Monday morning after a series of explosions tore through a north London street, where four Jewish community ambulances had been set deliberately alight.
Around 30 people were taken to a local shelter after being evacuated from properties near Highfield Road in Golders Green, where the blast was powerful enough to blow out windows in an adjacent block of flats. One resident, Ushi Gross, told the BBC he was roused from sleep by what he described as an explosion at around 1.30am. “We’ve all been woken up by arsonists targeting the ambulances in our community,” he said.
The ambulances belonged to Hatzola, a large volunteer-run organisation that has provided free emergency medical care and hospital transport to the Jewish community in north London since 1979. The vehicles had been parked next to a synagogue on Highfield Road, according to local councillor Shimon Ryde, who spoke to the BBC from the shelter where displaced residents had gathered. “I was advised that the Hatzola ambulance centre had been attacked, which is right next to a synagogue,” he said. “It’s very shocking.”
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, which was brought under control shortly after 3am. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that multiple gas cylinders stored in the vehicles had exploded during the fire. Road closures remained in place following the incident and no injuries were reported.
The Metropolitan Police have since confirmed they are treating the attack as an antisemitic hate crime. Officers believe three individuals were responsible, based on CCTV footage reviewed so far — including material that has circulated online. No arrests had been made as of Monday morning.
Superintendent Sarah Jackson said police were aware the incident would cause significant concern within the local community. Additional patrols have been put in place in the area and officers have been in contact with faith leaders. Enquiries are ongoing.
Councillor Ryde reflected on the broader climate facing his community. “The Jewish community is very aware of the danger we live in,” he said.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward at the earliest opportunity.