Fifth Arrest Made in Investigation Into North London Arson Attacks

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a series of fires in north London last year that are linked to a high-profile public figure.
The man was detained on Wednesday, 28 January in Harlow, Essex, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson. He was taken to an Essex police station and subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.
The arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation into various fires that took place in the NW5 area in May 2025. According to the Metropolitan Police, the case is being led by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London due to the incidents all having connections to a high-profile public figure.
Three men have already been charged in relation to three separate fires. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges following a vehicle fire in NW5 on Thursday, 8 May 2025, a fire at the entrance of a property in N7 on Sunday, 11 May 2025, and a fire at a residential address in NW5 in the early hours of Monday, 12 May 2025.
Roman Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, a Ukrainian national, was charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, of Romford, a Romanian national, was charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Petro Pochynok, 34, of north London, also a Ukrainian national, was charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
The three men have been remanded in custody and are due to stand trial at the Old Bailey on 27 April.
The Metropolitan Police has appealed for anyone with information that could assist the investigation to call 101 quoting CAD 441/12MAY/2025. Enquiries remain ongoing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​