Dozens of firefighters have descended on the scene of a blaze near a synagogue in north London this evening.
Footage circulating on social media shows plumes of smoke rising from a building on Cazenove Road in Stamford Hill.
More than a dozen fire engines from stations across north London rushed to the scene on Thursday shortly after 4pm.
A large police cordon has been established blocking access to the road, and emergency services remain in Stamford Hill tonight.
Video footage shows bystanders – some of whom appear to be dressed in Jewish garments – watching on in horror.
Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation Shomrim said the fire erupted near a place of worship. Situated on the same road is Yeshivas Mevista, an education centre serving the local Jewish community.
The Metropolitan Police, which helped to evacuate nearby homes and the synagogue, is ‘keeping an eye open’ as to what could have caused the fire.
It is not yet known whether anyone suffered injuries.
Footage circulating on social media shows plumes of smoke rising from a building on Cazenove Road in Stamford Hill
Dozens of firefighters have descended on the scene as bystanders – some which appear to be wearing Jewish garments – watch on in horror
Jewish neighbourhood watch organisation Shomrim said it is ‘keeping an open mind’ as to what could have caused the fire
Emergency services including officers from the Met Police remain at the scene this evening
A statement released by the London Fire Brigade read: ‘Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire at a property on Cazenove Road in Stamford Hill.
‘The Brigade took the first of over 40 calls at 1614 and Control Officers have mobilised crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Walthamstow and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
‘People are advised to avoid the area at this time whilst firefighters work to bring the fire under control.’
In a post on X, Shomrim said that the property up in flames is a ‘residential house next door to a synagogue’.
‘The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage, we are keeping an open mind,’ it wrote.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘As a precaution a number of houses on the road have been evacuated as well as the neighbouring synagogue.
‘We appreciate that given the location of the fire and proximity to the synagogue, there will undoubtedly be community concern.
‘We are working closely with the London Fire Brigade and within these early stages are keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire.
‘Officers remain in the area and are available to speak to concerned residents or the wider community.’
