A molotov cocktail has been thrown near a synagogue in Golders Green, London.

Golders Green Road has now been closed in connection with the incident and emergency services are at the scene. The molotov cocktail shattered when thrown, causing the fire to spread.

Alex Prager, a councillor for West Hendon, tweeted: ‘Police and fire brigade on site. Appears to have involved a molotov cocktail next to a synagogue on The Riding.’ A Molotov cocktail, also known as a petrol bomb, is an improvised weapon, which is made by filling a bottle with flammable liquid and setting one end alight.

A spokesperson for CST, a charity helping Jews with security and anti-Semitism in the UK, said they were working with the police to determine what happened. Footage from the scene shows firefighters putting out a small fire, as two men can be heard speculating about a petrol bomb being thrown. One can be heard saying: ‘Why did he wait all that time to throw that little bottle?’

Another witness from the area warned people not to travel to Golders Green due to the incident and stated that people were being evacuated for their safety.