Four Jewish ambulances set on fire in London in what health secretary calls 'sickening' attack

An arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community ambulance service in north London is being treated as an "antisemitic hate crime", the Metropolitan Police says.

Four Hatzola ambulances were found on fire after the London Fire Brigade was called to Highfield Road in Golders Green at around 01:40 GMT.

The fire brigade said multiple cylinders in the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an nearby block of flats.

Six fire engines and about 40 firefighters were sent to contain the blaze.

Nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution, and around 30 people have been taken to a local shelter.

There were no injuries, police said, and all fires have been put out. There have been no arrests so far, they added.

• Hatzola is a large non-profit, volunteer Jewish organisation that provides people emergency medical response and transportation to hospitals for free