A teenage boy and a man have been arrested following a suspected arson attack that tore through a restaurant in Ilford, east London, leaving at least five people injured.
Emergency services were called to Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill shortly after 9:00pm on Friday. Firefighters battled the blaze for 90 minutes before finally bringing it under control. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Among the injured were three women and two men, who were rushed to hospital. Two of the victims – a man and a woman – remain in critical, life-threatening condition. Police also believe at least two other people sustained injuries but left the scene before emergency responders arrived. Efforts are underway to trace them.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and horror. Local resident Dina Michael told BBC London she saw a man “running like a fireball” outside the restaurant. “He was fully on fire. One of my friends came with a water bucket and we were just trying to put the fire down,” she said, adding that the man was carrying a Deliveroo bag.
Another witness, Edward Thawe, 43, said he saw one of the injured men whose “whole body was burnt.” A separate resident reported seeing three “severely burned” individuals being treated by emergency crews with oxygen.
In total, nine people managed to escape the building before emergency services arrived, while paramedics and firefighters worked to treat the injured on-site.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, who is leading the investigation, urged witnesses to come forward. “While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening,” he said. “I know the community are concerned and shocked by this incident. I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to police.”
The two suspects remain in police custody as inquiries continue.
