2, including 15-year-old boy, held after 5 people injured in arson attack on Indian restaurant in London

Indian Aroma restaurant in London | X

Two people - a 15-year-old boy and a 54-year-old man - have been arrested for an alleged arson attack on an Indian restaurant in London.

Local reports said that five people have been left with serious injuries after the building was caught up in flames. Reports said that the Metropolitan Police were informed about the incident that took place at Indian Aroma restaurant in Ilford on Friday night around 9 pm. Police have confirmed that as many as five people have recieved life threatening injuries in the incident.

The teenager and the man are currently in police custody for questioning, The Independent said. They were arrested over suspicion of arson and endangering life.

CCTV footage that has been recovered after the incident reportedly showed a couple of people entering the restaurant and pouring a liquid on the floor, following which, the restaurant was on fire.

“While we have made two arrests, our investigation continues at pace so we can piece together what happened on Friday evening," said Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers of the Metropolitan Police’s Central Specialist Crime North unit. “I know the community are concerned and shocked by this incident. I would urge anyone with any information or concerns to come forward and speak to police," he added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the London Fire Brigade said that about nine people managed to escape the restaurant before the firefighters arrived to tackle the incident. “Part of the ground floor restaurant was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people from the restaurant," the spokesperson said.

Reportedly, the police are looking for two more victims who are believed to have escaped before officers arrived. Police have confirmed that the investigation was continuing “at pace" and have also appealed for anyone with further information to come forward to aid in the ongoing probe in the case.