Detectives are investigating an alleged arson attack at a hotel housing migrants in east London.
Firefighters were sent to the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf just before 5pm on Sunday following reports of smoke in the building.
The building, which is housing hundreds of asylum seekers, has been the subject of large-scale anti-migrant protests in recent months.
A small group of protesters, numbering around a dozen, were seen demonstrating outside the hotel as fire crews dealt with the incident.
St George’s flags and Union Jacks were put up on a fence outside but were later removed.
Five security guards stood at the hotel’s entrance, which was protected by two large metal fences.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police were called by the London Fire Brigade at 4.58pm on Sunday following reports of smoke at a property on Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf.
“No injuries were reported and the incident was safely resolved. It is being treated as an attempted arson. Enquiries continue and no arrests have been made at this time.
“We recognise the concern this will cause for local residents. We are closely monitoring all activity in the area.”
London Fire Brigade added: “Firefighters responded to reports of a possible fire at a hotel on Marsh Wall, Tower Hamlets.
“Crews carried out a systematic search of the building for signs of fire, and none were discovered.
“The brigade was first called about the incident at 4.50pm on Sunday, and crews from Millwall, Poplar, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene. The incident was over for crews by 6.35pm.
“The incident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service, supported by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Unit.”
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