A huge fire has broken out at a Jewish supermarket in Golders Green, with 100 firefighters tackling the blaze.
Fire crews are responding to the incident on Golders Green Road, north-west London, at the back of the large grocery store Kosher Kingdom.
Around 100 firefighters and 15 engines have been called to the fire, with the cause currently unknown. No casualties have been reported and the circumstances are not being treated as suspicious.
The largescale emergency response comes at a time of heightened tension in the community following a series of arson attacks, and the terror attack which saw two Jewish men stabbed in the area last month.
Today’s blaze is just yards from the scene of an attack which saw several ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity destroyed earlier this year.
Smoke could be seen billowing into the air, with a large part of the building’s roof ablaze.
The Met Police said the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault, but residents were left terrified this morning fearing it could be another arson attack.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it received around 60 calls, the first at 6.47am.
It sent crews from Finchley, Willesden, West Hampstead and other surrounding fire stations to the scene.
Around 100 firefighters and 15 engines have been called to the fire, with the cause of the blaze currently unknown
The London Fire Brigade said it received 59 calls to the fire, the first at 6.47am on Wednesday
The fire has caused a massive plume of smoke which can be seen across large parts of northwest London
Fire crews are responding to the incident in north-west London, believed to be at the back of the large grocery store Kosher Kingdom
Local residents are being warned to keep their doors and windows closed and to avoid the area.
The blaze affected the supermarket, which claims to be the largest kosher shop in Europe and its rear warehouse, resulting in part of the roof collapsing, LFB said.
Video footage from the scene appeared to show staff and emergency services rushing to remove gas cannisters away from the flames, as firefighters shouted to passersby: ‘[Get] out now’.
Specialist equipment has been deployed to help tackle the fire, including a 32-metre turntable ladder and LFB’s drone team, which is providing live and thermal imaging.
Caroline Levey, who lives near to the supermarket, told the Daily Mail witnesses have suggested the blaze is the result of an electrical fault.
She was asleep shortly before 7am when she heard shouting outside, and later realised it was someone yelling ‘fire’.
Ms Levey said: ‘I was talking to other local people, we were really worried it was another antisemitic attack. It is just devastating, utterly devastating.
‘I have been told that it’s an electrical fault. Someone went in and saw a fire in one of the fridges or freezers and it just got worse and worse.’
But she added: ‘We all thought it was antisemitism and it may still be. There needs to be a thorough investigation.’
Moshe Khubani, who lives above the warehouse, said: ‘I had to wake up my three children. There was smoke coming inside the house from the shop, it was full of smoke and people were knocking on our door. It might be [caused by] a fridge.’
Vahid Abazari said he arrived at the scene on Wednesday to find the supermarket ablaze.
‘The ambulance and police came and closed the road. Because it happened early in the morning there are big questions why because the temperatures were down. It makes you think it must be something to do with antisemitism.’
Another resident, Daniel, said: ‘I woke up to sirens and thought oh god it’s happening again.
‘The worst part is the long term it’s the main food source for most of the people around here – it’s the biggest kosher supermarket in the UK.’
Firefighters at the scene of the fire at Kosher Kingdom supermarket in Golders Green on Wednesday
A fire engine is pictured responding to the blaze at Kosher Kingdom today
Officers from the Met Police are also at the scene and assisting with road closures
A policeman walks past local residents near the site where a fire broke out at a supermarket in Golders Green
Firefighters use ladders to tackle the blaze, which broke out shortly before 7am this morning
LFB’s Assistant Commissioner Crag Carter said that residents had been evacuated from surrounding properties as a precaution.
Speaking at a press conference, he continued: ‘Our specialist fire investigators in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police Service have worked at pace to establish the circumstances of the fire are not believed to be suspicious at this time, and investigations into the cause and origin of the fire are ongoing.
‘I know that this fire will have caused concern for both those in Golders Green and the wider community and our community engagement team are here this morning providing support and reassurance to displaced residents and those who live and work nearby.’
Officers from the Met Police are also at the scene and are assisting with road closures and evacuations.
As well as roads in the immediate vicinity of the fire being closed, there is also disruption to traffic on the North Circular between Brent Cross and Henlys Corner.
There was a previous fire at the premises in 2008, which forced Kosher Kingdom to close for months due to the damage.
In a statement, LFB said: ‘Firefighters are currently responding to a fire on Golders Green Road in Golders Green. The fire is affecting a ground floor shop and a storage area to the rear of the shop.
‘The fire is producing a significant amount of smoke and we’re advising people in the area to keep their windows and doors shut at this time.
‘A number of road closures are in place, including on Golders Green Road near the junction with Beverley Gardens.
‘Please avoid the area whilst firefighters work to extinguish the fire.
‘The Brigade received the first of 59 calls about the fire at 0647 and Control Officers have mobilised 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters from Finchley, Willesden, West Hampstead and surrounding fire stations to the scene. A 32-metre turntable ladder is also in attendance.
‘The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.’
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘At around 07:00hrs on Wednesday, 27 May, police were called by the London Fire Brigade, who were responding to the fire on Golders Green Road, Barnet.
‘Officers attended and worked closely alongside firefighters, assisting with road closures and evacuations to ensure public safety. There was damage to the property but, fortunately, no injuries were reported.
‘Following further enquiries alongside the LFB, the fire is not being treated as suspicious and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
‘We understand the concern and disruption this incident will have caused to the local community and those living and working in the area. We would like to reassure residents that there is no indication of any targeted or deliberate act.
‘Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance and will continue to work in partnership with the LFB and local authority. Anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to local officers.’
