East London arson attack now being treated as a ‘transphobic incident,’ police confirm
"This a live hate crime investigation with active lines of enquiry," the Metropolitan Police has shared.
An arson attack on an East London home is now being treated as a “transphobic incident,” police have confirmed.
The fire at a property on High Street in Whitechapel started just before six-thirty in the morning on Friday, 14 April. The fifth-floor flat belonged to two trans women and a gay man. No one was injured.
Previously, the incident was labelled “a suspected hate crime”. The Met Police has now confirmed it’s being treated as “a transphobic incident.”
In a statement provided to Attitude, the Met added that the fire is being treated as “suspicious.” Investigators are also still working to establish the circumstances of the incident.
“We do not tolerate transphobia”
Acting Chief Inspector Dave Hodges has said: “This a live hate crime investigation with active lines of enquiry. We do not tolerate transphobia and are working closely with the London Fire Brigade in Tower Hamlets to extend support to the three victims of what was clearly a very frightening ordeal.”
No arrests have been made, the Met has also confirmed. It added that “there are active lines of enquiry.”
The Met also indicated they have referred the victims to support services. It is also working with the local council and community organisations.
Jack Gilbert, a local resident and member of the NSY LGBTQI+ Independent Advisory Group, added: “I am pleased the local police are investigating this as a hate crime.”
“One of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced in my life”
“It took 4 fire engines [and] 25 fire [fighters] to get the blaze under control,” a fundraiser for flatmates Harper Celeste, Novaya Shey, and Bartosz Ligocki has detailed.
The fundraiser also says none of the building’s fire alarms sounded. Therefore, those who were sleeping were totally unaware of the fire.
Celeste recently told the BBC that the fire was “one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced in my life”.
“The only thing we could do was react, soak the door and towels, and create a seal around the door.”
“Smoke was obviously filling into the flat from above the door and ceiling.”
Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 1185/14Apr. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.