A 16-year-old boy has been charged with six counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life following a suspected arson attack at an Indian restaurant in Gants Hill, east London. The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on August 22 at Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue.
According to prosecutors, three masked males entered the restaurant, where staff and customers were present, and allegedly poured petrol around the premises before it was engulfed in flames.
Emergency services responded to the scene, where they found multiple people injured. Six victims, including three women and three men, sustained injuries, with a man and a woman remaining hospitalized with life-changing injuries. A prosecutor, Suleman Hussain, stated that one woman suffered 58 burns covering her upper torso, chest, both arms, and face, while a man was left in a coma with 53 burns and life-altering injuries. Another woman suffered severe burns to her arms and face and experienced difficulties due to smoke and heat. An additional man sustained injuries that were not life-threatening but potentially life-changing, while another woman suffered non-life-threatening burns to her arms and face, and another man was taken to A&E. The London Fire Brigade reported that five people were rescued from the restaurant, while nine others were able to evacuate before their arrival.
The Metropolitan Police arrested the 16-year-old boy from Southwark and charged him. He appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday, September 8, and was remanded to a youth detention center. He is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on October 6.
In addition to the 16-year-old boy, a 56-year-old man was arrested on August 24 on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life but was later released on bail. Two other 16-year-old boys were also arrested on September 5 on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and were also released on bail.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. One witness described the scene as "like a scene from Halloween". Part of the ground floor of the restaurant was damaged by the fire.
