Dozens of firefighters have descended on the scene of a blaze near a synagogue in north London this evening.
Footage circulating on social media shows plumes of smoke rising from a building on Cazenove Road in Stamford Hill.
More than a dozen fire engines from stations across north London rushed to the scene on Thursday shortly after 4pm.
A large police cordon blocking access to the road was established, and emergency services remained in Stamford Hill throughout this evening.
Video footage shows bystanders – some of whom appear to be dressed in Jewish garments – watching on in horror.
Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation Shomrim said the fire erupted near a place of worship. Situated on the same road is Yeshivas Mevista, an education centre serving the local Jewish community.
The Metropolitan Police, which helped to evacuate nearby homes, said an investigation into what caused the fire is in its early stages.
Three people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said, with two taken to hospital for further treatment.
The fire is not thought to have been started ‘deliberately’ and has since been contained.
Footage circulating on social media shows plumes of smoke rising from a building on Cazenove Road in Stamford Hill
Dozens of firefighters have descended on the scene as bystanders – some which appear to be wearing Jewish garments – watch on in horror
Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation Shomrim said it is ‘keeping an open mind’ as to what could have caused the fire
Emergency services including officers from the Met Police remain at the scene this evening
A statement released by the London Fire Brigade read: ‘Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to a fire at a terraced property of three floors on Cazenove Road in Stamford Hill.
‘Additional resources were deployed to the scene as the fire involved the roof. Pockets of fire were also tackled on other floors of the building. The fire is now under control, and crews will be carrying out further firefighting operations into the evening.
‘The Brigade took the first of over 40 calls at 1614 and Control Officers mobilised crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Walthamstow and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
‘Three of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders were also deployed. Three people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, with two taken to hospital for further treatment. Crews also carried out salvage operations in the impacted and neighbouring properties.
‘Our Community Engagement team are working with the local authority and community leaders to support local residents affected.
‘People are advised to still avoid the area at this time whilst firefighters remain on scene.
‘At this stage, we do not believe that the fire was started deliberately, however, investigations are ongoing by our Fire Investigation Team to determine the cause of the fire.’
In a post on X, Shomrim said that the property which was up in flames is a ‘residential house next door to a synagogue’.
‘The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage, we are keeping an open mind,’ it wrote.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘As a precaution a number of houses on the road have been evacuated as well as the neighbouring synagogue.
‘We appreciate that given the location of the fire and proximity to the synagogue, there will undoubtedly be community concern.
‘We are working closely with the London Fire Brigade and within these early stages are keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire.
‘Officers remain in the area and are available to speak to concerned residents or the wider community.’
