Edmonton: Police station evacuated after being hit by car

Footage shows man dousing crashed car in flammable liquid before lighting a fire across lane of traffic

A London police station was evacuated after a man drove a car through its front doors and tried to set the vehicle alight.

Footage showed a man emerging from the vehicle and dousing it in a flammable liquid outside Edmonton police station, before walking into the busy road.

The man appeared to then light a strip of fire across an entire lane, directly in front of two buses.

A police car arrived just as the man ignited the liquid and officers appeared to quickly detain him, as some bystanders fled the scene.

Another police officer appeared to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames on the road.

Scotland Yard said an hour after the incident that it had not yet been informed of any injuries, and that London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade were present.

The crashed vehicle remained outside the station some time later, where it was being examined by specialist officers.

Ogur Mazlum, a 34-year-old store manager who works nearby, said he witnessed the car drive into the police station.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Mazlum, who has limited English, his wife told the PA news agency that a man ran to intervene from across the street and “pinned” the driver to the ground just as police arrived.

They alleged that the driver had been attempting unsuccessfully to break through a second barrier at the police station.

“He was insisting on trying to get inside, but the glass door wouldn't break anymore so he couldn't get any closer,” Ms Mazlum said.

The driver then “casually” get out with a tank of petrol, they said, adding that “luckily” he had “missed a spot” and the flaming petrol did not reach the traffic stopped on the road nearby.

“At around 18:58hrs on Wednesday, 11 November a vehicle was driven at the station office at Edmonton Police Station in Fore Street, Edmonton,” said Scotland Yard in a statement.

“A man, aged in his 40s, is then believed to have left the vehicle before attempting to pour petrol on the vehicle and set fire to it.

“He was apprehended and arrested by officers on suspicion on arson and a number of other offences. He is now in custody at a north London police station.”

The vehicle remains at the scene and has been examined by specialist officers. No injuries to any officers or members of the public have been reported.

Residents living in the area were evacuated as a precaution but have now returned home. Police officers who were also evacuated from Edmonton station have returned.

The force said road closures are still in place and advised motorists to avoid the area.

“At this time this remains a local investigation but is being supported by counter-terrorism officers,” added the force. “More updates will be provided in due course.”

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, tweeted her gratitude to the Metropolitan Police for their quick response to the incident.

She said: “As always, very grateful to the police and emergency services for their courage and professionalism in responding so swiftly to the incident in Edmonton this evening.”