Police are probing an attempted arson at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, where tensions over migrant housing remain high amidst protests and violence targeting similar accommodation across the UK.
Police are investigating an attempted arson attack after reports of smoke at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Firefighters were called just before 5pm on Sunday, with seven fire engines rushing to the scene following initial reports of an electrical fire on the seventh floor. However, after a thorough and systematic search of the building, no fire was found, and the incident was declared a false alarm. The London Fire Brigade confirmed the fire was extinguished quickly and no injuries were reported. The cause of the smoke remains under investigation, with the Metropolitan Police treating the incident as a suspected arson. No arrests have yet been made, but enquiries are ongoing.
The Britannia Hotel has been a focal point for large-scale anti-migrant protests in recent months, and during the emergency response, a small group of demonstrators were seen outside the hotel, chanting slogans and displaying St George's flags and Union Jacks, which were later removed. Police and security guards maintained a presence at the hotel entrance, which was protected by large metal fences amid the ongoing tensions. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the community’s concerns and stated they would closely monitor all activity in the area.
This incident comes amid a broader context of heightened hostility and violence towards asylum seeker accommodation across the UK. In August 2024, far-right rioters targeted hotels housing asylum seekers in places such as Rotherham, where a mob attempted to set fire to the Holiday Inn Express, injuring several police officers and hotel staff. Similarly, on 26 September 2025, a man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at another London hotel housing asylum seekers, with the authorities investigating the event as a possible hate crime. These incidents underscore a troubling pattern of anti-migrant unrest and violence.
The situation in Canary Wharf is not isolated from other episodes of unrest connected to asylum seeker housing. Protests in Ireland, for example, have also turned violent, including a major fire at a former industrial site in Dublin in 2024 during protests marked by brick-throwing and petrol bomb attacks against emergency services. In London, the fire brigade’s prompt and disciplined response ensured no structural damage or injuries occurred during the recent scare at the Britannia Hotel, which contrasts with other cases where fire safety concerns had more severe consequences, such as the recurrent fires at a residential development in Canary Wharf earlier this year.
While the investigation into the recent incident continues, the police are urging calm and vigilance, highlighting the importance of safeguarding all residents, including vulnerable asylum seekers, amid a climate of public concern and protest activity.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The Daily Mail article was published on October 6, 2025, and no substantially similar content was found in recent searches. The inclusion of updated data, such as the September 26, 2025, incident, suggests a higher freshness score. However, the report references earlier events from August 2024 and September 2025, indicating some recycled material. This may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the article includes a reference map with links to other sources, which may indicate a higher freshness score but should be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade. A search for these quotes reveals no earlier usage, suggesting they are original or exclusive to this narrative. This supports a higher originality score.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the Daily Mail has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past. The report includes references to other sources, such as GB News and Upday, which may indicate a higher reliability score but should be flagged. The inclusion of a reference map with links to other sources may indicate a higher reliability score but should be flagged.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative describes an attempted arson at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, housing asylum seekers. The inclusion of updated data, such as the September 26, 2025, incident, suggests a higher plausibility score. However, the report references earlier events from August 2024 and September 2025, indicating some recycled material. The inclusion of a reference map with links to other sources may indicate a higher plausibility score but should be flagged.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible account of an attempted arson at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, housing asylum seekers. While the Daily Mail is a reputable source, it has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past. The inclusion of updated data and references to other sources suggests a higher freshness and reliability score but should be flagged. The report includes direct quotes from the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade, which appear to be original or exclusive to this narrative. However, the report references earlier events from August 2024 and September 2025, indicating some recycled material. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.
