Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire involving four vehicles operated by a local Jewish volunteer ambulance service, on Highfield Court in Golders Green.
Four Hatzalah ambulances were damaged by fire. Multiple cylinders on the vehicles exploded and caused windows to break in an adjacent block of flats. No injuries are reported.
The Brigade’s 999 Control officers received the first of 56 calls alerting them to the fire at 0140. They mobilised fire crews from Hendon, West Hampstead, Mill Hill, Willesden and Kentish Town fire stations. The fire was under control at 0306.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Metropolitan Police Service and London Fire Brigade.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Paul Askew said: “Early this morning, the Brigade’s control room took the first of 56 calls reporting a fire on Highfield Court, Golders Green.
“Upon arrival, crews were met by a well-developed fire involving four ambulances. Several cylinders stored in the vehicles exploded because of the heat, causing damage to the windows of a nearby residential block. Residents from the immediate area were evacuated to a rest centre as a precaution whilst crews worked to bring the incident under control. The fire was safely extinguished overnight.
“We understand the impact this will have on the local community, especially our Jewish residents, and the Brigade’s Community Engagement Team attended the rest centre last night to support residents that have been directly impacted by this fire. Alongside our firefighters, they will continue to work with and support the local community in the coming days.”