Boy and man arrested over Gants Hill restaurant ‘arson attack’

A teenage boy and a person have been arrested after a suspected arson assault at an east London restaurant left at the very least 5 folks injured.

Three ladies and two males have been taken to hospital when a blaze ripped through Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill, Ilford, on Friday night.

The Met Police stated a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to hazard life.

It added that two of the victims – a person and a girl – remained in a life-threatening situation in hospital.

Firefighters took 90 minutes to extinguish the hearth after the flames took maintain at about 21:00 BST.

Dina Michael, who witnessed the blaze, instructed BBC London: “I rotated and see some man operating like a fireball.

“He was absolutely on hearth. Considered one of my mates got here with a water bucket and we have been simply attempting to place the hearth down.”

He added that the person “had a Deliveroo bag on”, whereas different folks injured have been prospects on the restaurant.

Native resident Edward Thawe, 43, stated he had seen one of many injured males whose “complete physique was burnt”.

One other native, who didn’t wish to give his title, stated he had witnessed three “severely burned” folks being doused by emergency providers and given oxygen.

Along with the 5 folks handled on the scene, the Met stated it believed one other two folks had been injured however left earlier than emergency providers arrived.

It stated efforts have been being made to determine them.

9 different folks have been in a position to get out of the constructing earlier than the emergency providers arrived.

Det Ch Insp Mark Rogers stated: “Whereas we have now made two arrests, our investigation continues at tempo so we are able to piece collectively what occurred on Friday night.

“I do know the group are involved and shocked by this incident. I’d urge anybody with any data or considerations to return ahead and converse to police.”

The 2 folks arrested stay in police custody.