16-year-old charged with six counts of attempted murder and arson after Ilford restaurant blaze
Police charge a second juvenile in connection with the August fire at Indian Aroma that left two people with life-changing injuries
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with six counts of attempted murder, arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon after a fire at an Indian restaurant in Ilford, east London, left two people fighting for their lives, police said Wednesday.
The blaze at Indian Aroma on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill broke out on Friday, Aug. 22. Six people were treated for injuries; two remain in hospital with life-changing injuries, the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police said. The charged youth was arrested on Sept. 16 and was due to appear at Barkingside Juvenile Court on Sept. 17.
The arrest is the latest in a string of inquiries. Police said the 16-year-old is the second youth of that age to be charged in connection with the incident. Following the fire, a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life on Aug. 24 and later released on bail. Two other 16-year-old boys were arrested on Sept. 5 on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and subsequently released on bail.
CCTV footage published by authorities and shown in media reports appears to show a group of people with their faces covered entering the restaurant, pouring a liquid onto the floor and, seconds later, the interior being engulfed in flames. The footage also appears to show a man running from the building with his clothes alight. Nine people escaped the restaurant before the fire took hold, the London Fire Brigade said.
Sayed Bokhari, 39, who runs a business near the restaurant, said he spoke with the manager after the blaze and described the scene as traumatic. "He was crying. He was very shocked. He was really crying. He was extremely scared," Bokhari said. He described the aftermath as "serious" and said local shopkeepers were worried for customers and their businesses.
Police investigators and fire officers have continued to examine the scene since the blaze. The Met urged anyone with information to contact police on 101 quoting reference 7559/22AUG, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The charges mark a significant development in an investigation that has included multiple arrests and ongoing inquiries into the cause and circumstances of the fire. Under U.K. law, charges against juveniles are handled in youth court; further details about the case, including any motive or formal allegation of murder, have not been released. The Metropolitan Police declined to comment beyond the charges and appeal for witnesses.
The Ilford blaze revived concerns among local business owners about safety on high streets after hours. Authorities said fire crews and emergency services acted to evacuate customers and staff and to bring the fire under control; the property suffered extensive damage.
Investigations into arson and attempted murder carry significant legal consequences, and the case will proceed through the juvenile court system. Police said the investigation remains active and asked anyone who may have seen the incident or captured footage to come forward to assist detectives.