In the early hours of Monday, March 23, 2026, the quiet streets of Golders Green, a northwest London neighborhood renowned for its vibrant Jewish and Orthodox Jewish community, were jolted awake by the unthinkable: flames, explosions, and a sense of fear that would ripple throughout the city. Four ambulances belonging to Hatzola Northwest, a Jewish volunteer emergency medical service, were set ablaze in what police are now treating as an antisemitic hate crime.
Security camera footage, shared with news outlets and widely circulated on social media, shows three masked or hooded individuals approaching the ambulances, dousing them with gasoline, and setting them alight outside the Machzikei Hadath synagogue. The timestamp reads 1:36 a.m. The resulting inferno lit up the night sky, and the sound of multiple explosions shattered the early morning calm. Residents like Charlie Richards told CNN, "I've heard multiple explosions since 2 a.m." Her video, filmed from a nearby window, captured a large orange blast and thick smoke billowing into the sky.
London’s Metropolitan Police responded swiftly, confirming that the arson attack is being investigated as an antisemitic hate crime. In a statement, the police said, "Officers remain on scene and the arson attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime." Superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the area, acknowledged the deep concern this incident would cause among residents. "We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries," Jackson said. She emphasized that police would be "engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence."
As the fire raged, dozens of firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control. According to the London Fire Brigade, they were called to Highfield Court in Golders Green at around 1:40 a.m. The explosions, it was later determined, were caused by gas canisters onboard the ambulances, with the force of the blasts shattering windows in an adjacent block of flats. Residents in nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution, but, remarkably, no injuries were reported. By 3:06 a.m., the fires had been extinguished and the danger contained.
For the Hatzola Northwest organization, the attack was both a blow and a call to resilience. The charity, which has served the North London community since 1979, provides free emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals. According to its website, Hatzola responds to thousands of emergencies every year, relying on a team of 61 fully qualified volunteer medics and paramedics, who are always on call and equipped with life-saving gear. The organization’s chairman, Shloimie Richman, confirmed to CNN that four of their six ambulances had been destroyed. "They were deliberately targeted in an arson attack," Richman said, adding, "Obviously we have concerns that this is a direct attack on the Jewish community."
Golders Green, with its many synagogues, Jewish schools, and kosher restaurants, has long been a center of Jewish life in London. The attack struck at the heart of this community, raising fears and sparking conversations about safety and antisemitism in the city. Superintendent Jackson promised ongoing engagement with faith leaders and reiterated the police’s commitment to a visible presence in the area, saying, "We will be engaging with faith leaders and carrying out additional patrols in the local area as we continue our investigation to provide reassurance and a highly visible presence."
Police are currently searching for three suspects, as identified in both CCTV and online footage, but as of this article’s publication, no arrests have been made. "We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage," Jackson said, urging anyone with information to come forward, anonymously if they wish. The investigation remains active, with officers examining surveillance footage and conducting house-to-house inquiries.
The London Fire Brigade spokesperson told CNN, "We are in attendance managing a fire." However, at the time, they could not confirm the exact cause of the incident or whether explosions had occurred. It was only after further investigation that the link to gas canisters was established, explaining the severity of the blasts and the collateral damage to nearby properties.
Hatzola Northwest is a registered UK charity headquartered in Golders Green, operating 24/7, 365 days a year within a 2.5-mile radius of its base. Its fleet, now severely reduced, included five active ambulances and three fast response units, all staffed by volunteers ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. The loss of four ambulances is a significant blow to their operations, but the organization remains committed to serving the community.
The attack has underscored existing anxieties about rising antisemitism in London and beyond. Golders Green, as one of the city’s most visible Jewish communities, has experienced both the warmth of multicultural London and the chill of hate-fueled incidents. Local leaders, emergency responders, and residents alike have expressed a mixture of shock, anger, and determination in the aftermath of the attack.
One local resident, speaking to the BBC at the scene, described the chaos: "We've all been woken up... by arsonists targeting the ambulances in our community." The sentiment was echoed by others who saw the attack not just as a crime against property, but as an assault on the sense of safety and belonging that Golders Green has long provided.
As the investigation continues, the Metropolitan Police are urging vigilance and solidarity. Road closures remain in place as forensic teams comb the area for evidence. Police say they are reviewing all available footage and are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. The community, meanwhile, is rallying around Hatzola and those affected, determined not to let fear define their response.
For now, Golders Green is left to reckon with the aftermath of a night that began like any other and ended with a stark reminder of the challenges facing minority communities in the UK. The attack on Hatzola Northwest’s ambulances is not just a story of destruction, but one of resilience, community, and the ongoing fight against hate in all its forms.