What started as a quiet early Monday morning quickly turned tense after a fire broke out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s former family home in north-west London.
The £2 million townhouse, which Starmer currently rents out, was suddenly the focus of an emergency response as fire crews and police flooded the street just after 1 a.m.
The entire road has since been sealed off with cordons, while forensics officers have been seen combing the scene well into the afternoon.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident.
Loud Bang and Shattered Glass Wake Neighbours in the Dead of Night
According to witnesses, the peaceful night was interrupted by what one local described as a loud bang that sounded like glass breaking.
“It was scary,” said one neighbour, who asked not to be named.
Another resident added that forensics teams had been present at the property for much of the day, emphasizing, “It seems like they’re taking it very seriously.”
The blaze was quickly contained by London Fire Brigade crews, who arrived at 1:11 a.m. and had the fire under control by 1:33 a.m. Two fire engines from Kentish Town Fire Station responded to the emergency.
Police Investigation Underway but Cause of Fire Still Unknown
The Metropolitan Police have now launched an investigation into what caused the fire.
Officers arrived shortly after the fire was extinguished and confirmed that the damage was limited to the property’s entrance.
“Officers attended the scene. Damage was caused to the property’s entrance, nobody was hurt,” a Scotland Yard spokesperson said.
The area remains cordoned off as investigators continue to work.
At this stage, the cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
However, the presence of multiple forensic teams dressed in blue and white overalls suggests that authorities are treating the matter with caution.
PM Responds Briefly Amid Busy Day of Political Announcements
Downing Street issued a short statement on behalf of the Prime Minister.
“The Prime Minister thanks the emergency services for their work.
It is subject to a live investigation, so I can’t comment any further,” the spokesperson said.
The fire incident comes on a busy political day for Sir Keir, who earlier addressed the media from Number 10 on an entirely different topic — a new wave of migration reform.
Starmer Unveils Major Crackdown on Migration with New Reform Plans
In a press conference just hours after the fire, Starmer outlined his government’s plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.
He warned that Britain risks becoming “an island of strangers” if serious changes aren’t made.
The new measures include tougher citizenship requirements — with applicants needing to wait 10 years instead of five — and a stricter English language test.
Only those with university degrees will qualify for a “skilled worker” visa under the proposed system.
Work Taxpayers First and Target the Skills Loophole, PM Says
The Labour government also wants to prioritize those who work and pay taxes.
Public service workers and highly skilled professionals will be fast-tracked for residency, while companies will face tighter scrutiny if they claim a domestic “skills gap” to hire foreign workers.
According to the Prime Minister, these changes are expected to cut annual migration by 100,000 people.
“If we do need to take further steps… then mark my words, we will,” he said.
No Year-by-Year Promise but PM Vows Numbers Will Fall Long Term
Despite the bold targets, Starmer stopped short of promising that net migration will decrease every year going forward.
He instead pledged to bring figures down “significantly” by the end of the current Parliament.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show net migration to the UK stood at 728,000 in the year to June 2024.
That’s a drop from the record 906,000 in the previous 12 months — but still high.
Critics Say the Plan Lacks a Clear Cap or Target Number
Critics weren’t impressed with the lack of a specific numerical target.
Reform UK’s Richard Tice called the new plan vague, telling BBC Radio 4 that “there’s no target, no number that can be measured against.”
The Conservatives, too, weighed in — accusing the Prime Minister of trying to take credit for reductions already made by Tory-led reforms that came into effect back in April 2024.
Starmer Meets Swedish Leader in Downing Street After Speech
Later in the day, Starmer hosted Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at Number 10.
The two leaders reportedly discussed strengthening ties between the UK and Sweden and reaffirmed their joint commitment to supporting Ukraine.
A Day of Drama and Diplomacy for the Prime Minister
From a dramatic overnight emergency at his former home to unveiling one of his most significant immigration crackdowns yet, it’s been anything but a typical Monday for Sir Keir Starmer.
As investigations continue into the fire, his government’s proposed migration shake-up will also face intense scrutiny in the days ahead — both from political opponents and the British public.