London police investigating fire at former synagogue as arson

May 5 (UPI) -- Counterterrorism police in London said they're investigating a fire at a former synagogue Tuesday as potential arson.

Police were notified about the fire just after 5 a.m. on Nelson Street in Tower Hamlets, the London Metropolitan Police said.

"Officers were quickly on scene with firefighters," a release from the Met said. "Minor damage was caused to a set of grates and a lock at the front of the building and no reports of any persons injured."

The Met said CCTV footage indicates the fire was intentionally set and it was being treated as arson. Since the building was the former home of East London Central Synagogue, Counter Terrorism Policing London was investigating the incident.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke said the Met would be working closing with the counterterrorism team.

"The building targeted has not been operational as a synagogue for some years but that will be of little comfort to the Jewish community in Tower Hamlets Hackney and beyond, who are first in my thoughts this morning," Clarke said.

Helen Flanagan, commander and head of CTP London, said detectives were working to gather evidence, including from area CCTV.

"This incident follows on from a number of arsons and attempted arsons targeting Jewish Londoners in the northwest of the city and we will be considering any potential links as their investigation gets underway."

The BBC reported that the former synagogue was set to be sold at auction earlier this year to a group planning to convert the building and turn it into a mosque and community center.

There have been a number of arson attacks in Britain since March, The Guardian reported. An Iran-linked group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia -- also known by the acronym HAYI -- has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.

Historic May moments through the years

Wreathes are seen amongst the statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial during Memorial Day weekend in Washington on May 27, 2023. Memorial Day, which honors U.S. military personnel who died while in service, is held on the last Monday of May. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo