Ilford Restaurant Fire: Boy 15 and Man 54 Bailed in Arson Case

Key Points

• A 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at the Indian Aroma restaurant in Ilford.
• The fire occurred on Friday night at around 9pm at Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill.
• Five people were injured in the fire—three women and two men—with two individuals, a man and a woman, reported to be in a life-threatening condition.
• CCTV footage shows a group of masked people entering the restaurant, pouring liquid on the floor, and the restaurant quickly engulfed in flames.
• Firefighters rescued five people; nine others exited before their arrival.
• The suspects were arrested on Sunday and later released on bail pending further inquiries.
• Police urge anyone with information to contact the Metropolitan Police or Crimestoppers.
• The restaurant suffered extensive damage from the blaze.

What happened at the Indian Aroma restaurant in Ilford?

As reported by Shropshire Star, emergency services were called to the Indian Aroma restaurant in Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, at about 9pm on Friday following a fire that engulfed part of the ground-floor restaurant. The London Fire Brigade confirmed firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people from the restaurant. Around nine additional people were able to leave the premises before firefighters arrived. The incident resulted in significant damage to the restaurant [Shropshire Star].

According to Sky News reporter, the fire led to hospitalisation of five individuals—three women and two men. Two of the injured, a man and a woman, were reported to remain in life-threatening condition on Sunday morning.

Who were arrested and on what charges?

Metropolitan Police arrested a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The arrests were made on Sunday following the incident, and both individuals have since been released on bail pending further investigations. The police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers from the Met Police Central Specialist Crime North unit stated, “While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening.” He urged the community to come forward with any information related to the incident.

What does CCTV footage reveal about the fire?

CCTV footage seen by the PA news agency shows a group of people with their faces covered entering the restaurant. The video appears to capture them pouring liquid on the restaurant floor before the flames quickly engulf the inside. The footage also shows a man running out of the building with his clothes on fire.

What was the response from emergency services?

London Ambulance Service deployed multiple resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer, and paramedics from their hazardous area response team. They treated five victims for burns and smoke inhalation and transported two patients to a major trauma centre while taking the remaining three to local hospitals.

The London Fire Brigade, upon receiving the 9:02 pm call, promptly dispatched crews to the scene to control the blaze and conduct rescue operations. Their spokesperson confirmed the substantial damage to the restaurant’s ground floor and detailed the rescue of five people from within the building.

What is the community reaction and police appeal?

Neighbours reported hearing “loud screams” as the fire broke out, reflecting the shock and distress caused by the incident. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers acknowledged the community’s concern and encouraged anyone with information to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously to aid in the ongoing investigation.

What details are known about the Indian Aroma restaurant?

Indian Aroma, managed by Rohit Kaluvala, is known for serving authentic Indian cuisine. The restaurant has sustained extensive damage due to the fire incident, impacting its operations.