A teenage boy and a man have been arrested following a suspected arson attack at an east London restaurant that left multiple people seriously injured.
Emergency services were called on Friday evening after flames tore through Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill, Ilford. The blaze broke out shortly after 9:00 pm and took firefighters around 90 minutes to bring under control.
Five people — three women and two men — were rushed to hospital. Police confirmed that two of them, a man and a woman, remain in a critical, life-threatening condition.
The Metropolitan Police said a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. Both remain in custody.
Eyewitness Accounts
Local witnesses described chaotic scenes as the fire spread quickly through the busy restaurant.
“I turned around and saw a man running like a fireball,” said witness Dina Michael. “He was completely engulfed in flames. One of my friends ran to grab a bucket of water to try to put the fire out.”
Michael added that the man appeared to be a food delivery rider, carrying a Deliveroo bag. Other victims were reportedly diners inside the restaurant.
Another local resident, Edward Thawe, 43, said he saw one of the injured with “his whole body burnt,” while others described watching emergency crews treat several people with severe burns and oxygen masks.
Investigation Underway
Police believe that two additional people were injured but left the scene before emergency services arrived. Officers are working to identify them. At least nine others managed to escape the restaurant without injury.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers urged the public to assist with the ongoing investigation.
“While two arrests have been made, this inquiry is moving quickly as we work to establish exactly what happened on Friday evening,” he said. “I understand the community is both concerned and shocked, and I encourage anyone with information to come forward.”
Authorities have confirmed that the arrested suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
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