Golders Green Police Probe Suspected Arson at Jewish Apartment Block

Police are investigating a suspected arson at a block of flats in Golders Green, where many Jewish families live, after an empty baby stroller was set alight in a communal stairwell early Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made.

The incident has shaken residents in one of London’s most visible Jewish neighborhoods, already on edge after recent attacks and security incidents in the area. Police have not confirmed an antisemitic motive and said officers are keeping an open mind, but the fire comes after a series of incidents affecting Jewish residents and institutions in north London.

Residents in the building on Bridge Lane were woken by a fire alarm at about 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to eyewitness accounts. Smoke filled the corridor after the stroller, described by police as a pram, was set alight inside the building.

Monty Sternlicht, 18, who lives in one of the flats, said: “At about 4am yesterday, my mum, my brother Benny and I were woken by the fire alarm.”

“We rushed out into the corridor. There was smoke everywhere. It was hard to breathe. It was very thick. It was chaos,” he said.

According to the community security organization Shomrim, residents reported seeing a suspect deliberately start the fire before fleeing when he was challenged. One resident grabbed water and put out the blaze before it spread further.

“Residents reported witnessing a suspect deliberately start a fire in a communal stairwell before fleeing when challenged,” Shomrim said.

The organization said a resident “acted swiftly to extinguish the fire, preventing what could have become a far more serious incident. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.” Shomrim said it attended the scene, recovered evidence believed to belong to the suspect and is assisting police with their inquiries.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 04:52 on Tuesday after an empty pram was set alight by a man inside a block of flats on Bridge Lane in Golders Green. Police said the fire was quickly put out by members of the public.

“No arrests have been made and officers are keeping an open mind as to the man's motive,” a police spokesperson said.

Police are searching for CCTV and doorbell footage as the investigation continues. Residents said forensic officers remained at the scene through Tuesday, interviewing witnesses and checking whether nearby cameras captured the suspect before or after the fire.

Inside the building, residents described fear and uncertainty after the incident. One resident said: “We're all very worried at the moment. We're on edge. It's a terrifying time to be living around here.”

Another resident said the building includes young families with babies, toddlers and young children. Residents said the suspect appeared suspicious before being challenged and running from the scene.

The suspected arson follows a tense period in Golders Green. ITV News reported this week that Shomrim volunteers were called to three separate antisemitic incidents in the area within one hour, including a case in which Jewish teenage girls said boys shouted “Adolf Hitler,” gave Nazi salutes and one allegedly said: “Hitler didn’t manage to get you, but we will.” On May 18, police opened an antisemitic hate crime investigation after a Jewish man in his 20s was attacked by a group of men on The Grove and treated for facial and back injuries.

The area has also seen more serious attacks in recent months, including the March arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances and the April stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, which police treated as a terrorist incident. 

Jewish News reported that the latest incident also follows attempted arson at Finchley Reform Synagogue, fires at Kenton United Synagogue and former Jewish charity buildings in Hendon, and the April stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green. In that stabbing case, a suspect was later sent for trial on attempted murder charges.

Police and Shomrim are continuing their inquiries, with investigators seeking footage from the area around Bridge Lane. For residents in Golders Green, the early-morning fire has added to a tense period for a Jewish community already living with heightened security concerns.