Police are treating the arson attack as an anti-Semitic hate crime
Four ambulances operated by a Jewish volunteer organization in London were set on fire overnight in what authorities are investigating as a hate crime.
The incident took place in the Golders Green area of the Barnet borough at around 1:45 AM local time, officials said. CCTV footage reportedly shows at least three masked individuals setting fire to vehicles belonging to the local branch of Hatzola, a network of volunteer emergency medical services which works with Jewish communities.
The London Fire Brigade said that “multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded,” causing windows in a nearby residential building to shatter. No injuries were reported. The Metropolitan Police said nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution and confirmed that the case “is being treated as an anti-Semitic hate crime.”
🚨 BREAKING: Major arson attack in Golders Green, London overnight has destroyed at least 4 ambulances belonging to Hatzola Northwest — a volunteer Jewish emergency medical service providing 24/7 life-saving care to the community.
— Skint Eastwood (@Skint_Eastwood1) March 23, 2026
Footage shows suspects setting the vehicles… pic.twitter.com/NhXaogMXAs
Hatzola is an international network of independent emergency medical organizations founded in New York in the 1960s to support Orthodox Jewish communities. The group has operated in Golders Green since 1979, according to British media.
We are aware of loud explosions heard in the past hour.
— Shomrim (North West London) (@shomrimlondon) March 23, 2026
Emergency services are on scene following a deliberate incident involving #Hatzola ambulances being set alight. The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device.
Hatzola NW remain fully operational.… pic.twitter.com/Hz3rIVjTRS
In a 2014 High Court case, Hatzola representatives highlighted rapid response times compared to public ambulance services, though the court ruled the group was not permitted to use the sirens and blue lights reserved for official emergency vehicles.
Anti-Semitic sentiments in many parts of the world have been fueled in recent years by Israel’s extensive military operation in Gaza and expanded security crackdowns in the West Bank, as well as its strikes on Lebanon and Syria, and, most recently, its joint bombing campaign with the US targeting Iran.
READ MORE: ‘Israel-linked’ arms facility set ablaze in EU (VIDEO)
The worst recent anti-Semitic attack in Britain occurred in October 2025, at a synagogue in Higher Crumpsall, Manchester, during Yom Kippur. Two people were killed and several others injured before the perpetrator was shot dead by police.
