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Suspicious Fire Erupts at Starmer’s London Home – Was It an Attack?

Countess Road NW5 in Kentish Town in North London, home of Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer for 17 years before he became the UK Prime Minister.

2XGJJJN Countess Road NW5 in Kentish Town in North London, home of Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer for 17 years before he became the UK Prime Minister.

Late-night fire at the Prime Minister’s former London home

In the early hours of Monday morning, a fire broke out at the north London residence once occupied by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The blaze, which caused visible damage to the front door, prompted a swift response from both the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police. No one was injured in the incident, but the street in the London Borough of Camden was cordoned off while officers and firefighters worked to secure the scene.

Timeline of events

According to the Metropolitan Police, the sequence of events unfolded as follows:

Damage assessment and immediate response

While the fire was concentrated around the front entrance, the majority of the house’s interior and structural fabric remained intact. Emergency crews reported:

The London Fire Brigade praised local residents for their quick 999 call, which allowed them to extinguish the flames before any serious damage could occur.

Police investigation under way

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that the fire was being treated as suspicious and under active investigation. Key details include:

At this stage, police are not ruling out any motive, but are keen to establish whether the fire was deliberate or accidental.

Background: Starmer’s London house and its new tenants

Since his election as Prime Minister in July last year, Keir Starmer moved into 10 Downing Street, leaving his former north London house unoccupied by the Starmer family. Reports indicate:

Given the political prominence of the address, security experts highlight the challenges of protecting former official residences once they re-enter the private housing market.

History of targeted protests

The house has drawn attention before, as protest groups and demonstrators have targeted it for various reasons:

While none of these protests escalated into violence, they underline the potential risk to properties linked to prominent figures.

Security considerations for former PM residences

Security analysts note several factors that complicate protection measures for ex-official homes:

Enhanced coordination between the Met and private security firms is often required to mitigate such risks.

Political reaction and public concern

News of the fire at a former Prime Minister’s home has sparked a political response:

Lobby groups concerned with public safety are urging a nationwide audit of protected residences for current and former senior officials.

Next steps in the investigation

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that cordons remain in place and that inquiries are ongoing. In the coming days, investigators will:

Residents of the Camden neighbourhood are encouraged to report any information that could assist the police inquiry.

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