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In a shocking incident that has left the local community reeling, a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of a targeted arson attack on a restaurant in Gants Hill, Ilford. The blaze, which occurred on Friday evening, left five people with serious injuries, with a man and a woman in a life-threatening condition.
The restaurant, identified as Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue, was the scene of a horrific fire that broke out around 9 pm on Friday. Dramatic CCTV footage, reviewed by the PA news agency, shows the moment a group of people with their faces covered entered the restaurant and poured a liquid onto the floor, causing an immediate and explosive blaze that engulfed the premises.
London Fire Brigade crews from Ilford, Hainault, Leytonstone, and Woodford fire stations were called to the scene. Firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, rescued five people from the restaurant, all of whom were taken to the hospital by the London Ambulance Service for burns and smoke inhalation. An additional nine people managed to escape the building before emergency services arrived. Police are also searching for two further victims who they believe fled the scene before officers arrived.
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The arrests were made on Sunday as part of a swift investigation by the Metropolitan Police. While the suspects are in custody, authorities have not yet released any information on the motive behind the attack. However, the nature of the incident, with the use of an accelerant and the immediate ignition, points towards a deliberate and premeditated act of violence. Local residents have described the scene as "horrible" and "like a scene from Halloween," highlighting the shocking and terrifying nature of the event.
The owner of Indian Aroma has not been publicly identified, but a local businessman reported speaking to the manager, who was "crying" and "extremely scared" in the aftermath of the attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Met's Central Specialist Crime North unit, stated that the investigation is continuing "at pace" and urged anyone with information to come forward. The incident has deeply concerned the community, and police presence remains high in the area as the investigation continues.
