The significant fire at the Jewish supermarket on Golders Green Road in north-west London, prompted a large fire service and police response

London Fire Brigade (LFB) was first alerted to the incident on the morning of 27 May, receiving over 50 calls as the fire rapidly developed at Kosher Kingdom, described on its website as the largest kosher supermarket in Europe.

At the peak of the incident, 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters were deployed from Finchley, Willesden, West Hampstead, and surrounding stations, with the fire being brought under control in the middle of the afternoon.

Speaking from the scene about the LFB response, Assistant Commissioner Craig Carter said: “One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as a water tower … A second 32-metre turntable ladder was used as an observation tower to provide the Incident Commander with an aerial view of the fire. Drones were deployed to survey the incident from above, providing live thermal images.”

The blaze severely affected a ground-floor shop and a storage area at the rear of the building, which partially collapsed during the incident. The ground floor was destroyed, while part of the first floor and a small section of the second floor sustained fire damage. Residential flats above the supermarket, along with neighbouring properties, were evacuated as a precaution.

A rest centre was established nearby to support displaced residents, and no injuries were reported.

With the fire producing a substantial smoke plume, local residents were advised to remain indoors. “The fire produced a significant amount of smoke, and we advised people in the area to keep their windows and doors shut whilst firefighters worked to extinguish the fire,” Carter said at the time.

The incident also led to several road closures in the area, causing disruption throughout the day. Community engagement teams were deployed to provide reassurance and assistance to residents and local businesses affected by the fire.

A joint investigation by LFB and the Metropolitan Police Service was swiftly undertaken into the cause of the fire, with a police spokesperson stating: “Following further enquiries alongside the LFB, the fire is not being treated as suspicious and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.” They added: “We would like to reassure residents that there is no indication of any targeted or deliberate act.”

Carter emphasised the collaborative nature of the response, stating: “I want to thank our crews for their hard work, and our partners in the Metropolitan Police Service, London Ambulance Service, Hatzolah, Community Security Trust, and the local community who supported us on scene.”

 

(Photograph by London Fire Brigade)