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Counter-terrorism police are leading an investigation into a fire at a home owned by Keir Starmer that broke out in the early hours of Monday morning.
London fire brigade attended the property in the north of the city after the fire was reported shortly after 1.30am. The door was damaged but nobody was hurt.
The prime minister, who resides with his family in his official residence in Downing Street, is reportedly letting out the four-bedroom home.
Police said they were treating the blaze as suspicious and said the decision to put the counter-terrorism command – SO15 – in charge of the investigation was a precaution.
In a statement on Monday night, the Metropolitan police said: “As a precaution and due to the property having previous connections with a high-profile public figure, officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation into this fire. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the potential cause of the fire.
“The cause of the fire continues to be investigated but at this stage is being treated as suspicious.”
A police cordon and officers, as well as investigators from London fire brigade, could be seen outside the house in Kentish Town.
A Metropolitan police spokesperson had earlier said: “On Monday 12 May at 01.35, police were alerted by the London fire brigade to reports of a fire at a residential address.
“Officers attended the scene. Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, nobody was hurt.
A London fire brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to a small fire outside a property in Kentish Town this morning.
“The brigade was called at 01.11 and the fire was under control by 01.33. Two fire engines from Kentish Town fire station attended the scene.”
In a statement, a No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister thanks the emergency services for their work. The incident is subject to a live investigation and we will therefore not be commenting further.”
News of the blaze came as Starmer on Monday morning revealed the government’s plan to crack down on migration rules.
The house, which he and his wife, Victoria, bought in 2004, has previously been targeted by protesters. Last year three people were found guilty of public order offences after a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the property.
