LONDON — Two suspects arrested in connection with an arson fire that destroyed ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in London have been freed on bail while authorities continue their investigation into what they believe was an antisemitic hate crime.
The Metropolitan Police Service announced Thursday that the British nationals, ages 45 and 47, were taken into custody Wednesday on charges of arson with intent to endanger life. Both men have been released under strict bail conditions and will remain under close police supervision.
While police called Wednesday’s arrests a significant development in the case, they noted that surveillance video shows three individuals were involved in the attack.
“We continue to work to try and identify all of those involved in this appalling attack and the investigation team is working around the clock to do this,” said Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London.
Investigators are examining a claim of responsibility from a group that may have connections to Iran, though officials have not classified the incident as a terrorist attack.
The fire occurred early Monday morning in Golders Green, a London district home to a significant Jewish community, and completely destroyed four ambulances operated by Hatzola Northwest, a volunteer emergency medical service that serves local residents. The blaze caused oxygen tanks inside the vehicles to explode, shattering windows in a nearby apartment building.
