Counter-terrorism police are investigating three separate fires after a blaze broke out at a home owned by Keir Starmer in the early hours of Monday morning.
London fire brigade attended the property in Kentish Town after the fire was reported shortly after 1.30am. The door was damaged but nobody was hurt.
The prime minister, who resides with his family in his official residence in Downing Street, is reportedly letting out the four-bedroom home.
Police said they were treating this blaze as suspicious and said the decision to put the counter-terrorism command – SO15 – in charge of the investigation was a precaution.
On Monday night, details of two more fires emerged. The LFB were called on Sunday morning shortly after 3am to a small fire at the front door of a house converted into flats in nearby Islington. The property is linked to the prime minister.
One person was assisted to safety via an internal staircase by crews wearing breathing apparatus, LFB said. The fire was under control by 4am.
Officers are also investigating a small car fire that happened just before 3am last Thursday on the same street as Starmer’s Kentish Town property.
The Metropolitan police confirmed it was investigating whether the fires were linked and said counter-terror officers were involved.
A Met spokesperson said: “At this early stage of the investigation, officers are working to establish the circumstances of all three fires and are keeping an open mind as to whether there is any connection.
“All are being treated as suspicious at this time, and inquiries remain ongoing.”
In an earlier statement, the Met said: “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 the potential cause of the fire.
“The cause of the fire continues to be investigated but at this stage is being treated as suspicious.”
A No 10 spokesperson said: “I can only say that the prime minister thanks the emergency services for their work and it is subject to a live investigation. So I can’t comment any further.”
News of the blaze came as Starmer on Monday morning revealed the government’s plan to crack down on migration rules.
The house, which he and his wife, Victoria, bought in 2004, has previously been targeted by protesters. Last year three people were found guilty of public order offences after a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the property.
