Four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community ambulance service have been set on fire in Golders Green, with police saying they were treating the incident as an “antisemitic hate crime”.

Officers were called to Highfield Road, Golders Green, around 1.45am on Monday after receiving reports of a fire.

The Metropolitan police confirmed the incident in north London was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it sent six fire engines and about 40 firefighters to the fire, which damaged four vehicles. Multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats, the LFB said. No injuries were initially reported.

Police superintendent Sarah Jackson, who leads policing in the area, said: “We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries.

“We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage.

“There have been no arrests yet, and we would urge anyone with information to please contact us as soon as possible – you can do so anonymously if you wish.

“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.”

Shomrim, a non-profit organisation which operates a neighbourhood watch in the Golders Green neighbourhood, said it was “aware of loud explosions” early on Monday morning.

“The explosions were caused by oxygen tanks not a bomb or explosive device. Although some buildings have been evacuated no casualties have been reported.

“Please avoid the area while investigations continue.”

Golders Green ward councillor Dean Cohen, who was at the scene, told Jewish News the fact the incident was taking place in the “car park of a synagogue is particularly chilling and will send shockwaves through our community at a time of already heightened fears over antisemitism in the UK”.