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Fire at London asylum seekers' hotel treated as hate crime Man arrested after fire at London asylum seekers' hotel
(about 3 hours later)
A fire at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel is being treated as a hate crime by policeA fire at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel is being treated as a hate crime by police
A fire at a London hotel housing asylum seekers is being treated as a hate crime and has been condemned as a "despicable and cowardly attack". A 64-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at a London hotel housing asylum seekers.
The blaze at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, in Dingley Road, Islington, happened at about 22:50 BST on Wednesday, according to the Met Police. No-one was hurt and staff put out the flames before officers arrived. The blaze at the Thistle City Barbican in Dingley Road, Islington, is being treated as a hate crime by investigating officers and has been condemned as a "despicable and cowardly attack".
The force said it was an isolated incident and it wanted to identify one suspect, while it was keeping an open mind about motive. There have been no arrests. It happened at about 22:50 BST on Wednesday, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Islington Council leader, Una O'Halloran, and local MP Dame Emily Thornberry said: "We utterly condemn this despicable and cowardly attack that has no place in our community or society." No-one was hurt and staff put out the flames before officers arrived.
The man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and is in custody, the Met said.
The force added that it was an isolated incident and police were keeping an open mind about motive.
Islington Council leader, Una O'Halloran, and local Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry said: "We utterly condemn this despicable and cowardly attack that has no place in our community or society."
'No place in Islington''No place in Islington'
Their statement added: "Islington is a proud beacon of tolerance and diversity that welcomes people from all over the world."Their statement added: "Islington is a proud beacon of tolerance and diversity that welcomes people from all over the world."
Attempts to divide would fail, they said, adding that "this kind of violence can never be the answer".Attempts to divide would fail, they said, adding that "this kind of violence can never be the answer".
"Anyone who seeks to incite hatred or violence has no place in Islington," they said."Anyone who seeks to incite hatred or violence has no place in Islington," they said.
Nine people were arrested last month after a protest and counter-protest took place outside the hotelNine people were arrested last month after a protest and counter-protest took place outside the hotel
The Met Police's Cdr Hayley Sewart said: "This is being treated as a hate crime and we are working at pace to locate the suspect." Police inquiries are ongoing.
The force is appealing for witnesses.
Nine people were arrested after a protest and counter-protest took place outside the hotel in August.Nine people were arrested after a protest and counter-protest took place outside the hotel in August.
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