Police say they are keeping an “open mind” about a fire after claims of a targeted “terrorist” attack.

A fire broke out at an office ground floor used by supporters of an Iranian regime resistance group MEK, also known as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

The building, in Temple Road, Cricklewood, is described as a “cultural and humanitarian centre” for families who have been executed in Iran, political prisoners and other victims.

Amid months of protests in Iran calling for a regime change following the death of a young woman in custody under Iran’s “morality police”, members of the Cricklewood group claim they were warned by police of a potential attack.

Ham & High: Police are keeping an open mind after claims of a terrorist attack in Cricklewood at an Iranian regime resistance centrePolice are keeping an open mind after claims of a terrorist attack in Cricklewood at an Iranian regime resistance centre (Image: Jalal Arani)

The fire was at the ground-floor bin room of the office at 2.15am on Monday (December 5).

The room was destroyed, with scorch marks also at the entrance of the building and the walls.

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There were no reports of injuries, but the building is cordoned off following the blaze.

The Metropolitan Police says investigations continue but that it is not treating it as a terror-related attack at this time.

Ham & High: It is believed that the fire started in a bin in CricklewoodIt is believed that the fire started in a bin in Cricklewood (Image: Jalal Arani)

Detective Superintendent Tony Bellis, of the North West Command Unit, said: ”We know this incident has caused concern among the local community and have liaised with local community groups as a result.”

He added that officers are keeping an “open mind” in relation to “any potential motivation behind this incident”.

He continued: “There is no current information to suggest a targeted attack at this time, and it is not being treated as terror-related.

“However, due to the location of the incident and the organisation based at the adjacent premises, the investigation is also being supported by specialist officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.”

The opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has claimed it was a deliberate attack after alleged sightings of a “Molotov cocktail”.

Hossein Abedini, the NCRI deputy director, said that “state terrorism is the DNA of the clerical regime”.

He added: "I think it's now the work of the British Government and British police to protect the Iranian community.”