LONDON — A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire at a house owned by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The Metropolitan Police said the suspect had been arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in police custody.
According to the police force, the arrest relates to three incidents that took place in North London over the past week: a fire at a residential address in Kentish Town, north London; a vehicle fire; and a fire at the entrance to a separate property. Police are investigating whether the incidents are connected.
The Met said of the fire at Starmer’s home: “As a precaution and due to the property having previous connections with a high-profile public figure, officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation into this fire. Enquiries are ongoing to establish what caused it.”
They added: “All three fires are being treated as suspicious at this time, and enquiries remain ongoing.”
While Starmer is based in Downing Street as prime minister, he still retains his north London residence. Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, but nobody was hurt, according to police.
A resident of the street said he heard a loud, one-off bang, that sounded like a “firebomb,” and possibly shattered glass.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to a small fire outside a property” in Kentish Town Monday morning, adding: “Two fire engines from Kentish Town Fire Station attended the scene.”
Downing Street said the prime minister was grateful to the emergency services for their work but could not comment further due to the live investigation.
Nathalie Weatherald contributed reporting.
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