Man charged with arson and carrying a fake gun after Hackney house fire

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “On his arrest the man made a number of threatening comments, some of which were allegedly antisemitic. We take instances of antisemitism extremely seriously and for this reason we’re investigating the incident as a potential hate crime. Undoubtedly this will be extremely concerning news for our Jewish communities in Hackney and beyond, and I and my officers will be engaging with partners including the Community Safety Trust and the Shomrim, to answer their questions and listen to their views. . . I know our Jewish communities are about to begin celebrations for Purim, and we have a robust policing plan in place, including increased patrols and enhanced police visibility, to ensure the festivities can be enjoyed safely and securely.”

Krzysztof Bozych, 48, was working two doors down from the fire when he heard a loud explosion in the road…

One woman had already jumped from the top floor and was lying in the garden with a broken leg, neighbours said.

Mr Bozych told The Independent: “I heard a boom; it was so loud. I went on the roof like, what the hell is going on? I heard a woman screaming from a window, ‘It’s a fire, help me please.’ There was no time to wait.  I ripped open the fence and grabbed a ladder. The mother was so scared she was going to jump on me just as I was climbing the ladder. “I said, ‘Calm down, relax, we are going to get you out.’ “She passed me the baby, I think. I realised I had a baby in my hand. I thought, ‘I’m going to be a godfather.’ “I wasn’t thinking of myself, every human would have done the same.”