A violent blaze at an Indian restaurant in east London has left five people injured, with two of them critically ill. Police have taken into custody a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, following the fire that erupted Friday evening at ‘Indian Aroma’ on Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill.

The fire started around 9 pm (BST) when the restaurant was filled with customers. Security camera footage showed three masked suspects entering and spreading an accelerant before setting the place ablaze. Disturbingly, video also captured a man running outside the restaurant while engulfed in flames, triggering panic among diners and staff as they rushed to evacuate.

Witness Dina Michael described the terrifying scene to the BBC, saying, “I turned around and see some guy running like a fireball. 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 noted that the man was carrying a Deliveroo bag.

Firefighters Rescue Five

Emergency services acted promptly, with firefighters extinguishing the fire after approximately 90 minutes. They rescued five people trapped inside and transported them to hospital for treatment of burn injuries. Three women and two men were among the injured. Police confirmed two remain in life-threatening conditions, and are seeking two additional victims believed to have fled before the emergency response arrived.

Local resident Edward Thawe recounted seeing a man severely burned, saying he observed someone “whose whole body was burnt.” Another witness reported three victims receiving oxygen and water from emergency teams at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers from the Metropolitan Police’s Central Specialist Crime North team confirmed the arrests but stressed that inquiries are ongoing. “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 members are concerned and shocked by this incident. I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to the police.”

Fire damages ground floor; rescue with breathing gear

The London Fire Brigade stated the blaze caused damage to the ground floor of the restaurant, noting firefighters wore breathing apparatus to safely conduct rescue operations.

‘Indian Aroma’ prides itself on authentic Indian cuisine and has built a strong reputation serving diverse customers including film industry professionals and community events. Managed by Rohit Kaluvala, the restaurant has earned awards for its distinctive curries and customer service.

The incident has left the local community shaken as authorities continue their investigation into the alarming attack.