On Friday night, August 22, 2025, a devastating suspected arson attack ripped through the Indian Aroma restaurant on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill, Ilford, leaving the local community shaken and five people hospitalized, three of them fighting for their lives. The incident, which unfolded just after 9 pm, drew a massive emergency response and has since prompted a major investigation by London’s police and fire services.
According to BBC News and Sky News, the blaze erupted swiftly, engulfing part of the ground floor of the popular eatery. Within minutes, thick smoke and flames forced frantic evacuations. Nine people managed to escape the burning building before firefighters arrived, but five others—three women and two men—were trapped inside and had to be rescued by teams wearing breathing apparatus.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported that their control officers received seven separate calls about the fire, triggering an immediate response from fire stations in Ilford, Hainault, Leytonstone, and Woodford. Crews arrived swiftly and managed to extinguish the flames by 10:32 pm, but not before significant damage was done to the restaurant’s interior. In a statement to Sky News, the LFB confirmed, “Part of the ground floor restaurant was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people from the restaurant.”
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called at 9:04 pm, dispatching a full array of resources, including ambulance crews, advanced and specialist paramedics, an incident response officer, and a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance. “We treated five people for burns and smoke inhalation. We took two patients to a major trauma centre and three others to local hospitals,” a LAS spokesperson told Daily Mail.
Three of the injured remain in critical, life-threatening condition. The Metropolitan Police confirmed to BBC News that all five victims are still hospitalized as of Saturday, August 23, with no arrests made in connection with the attack. The incident is being treated as suspected arson, and both the LFB and Metropolitan Police are working together to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
As the flames were subdued, the aftermath painted a harrowing scene. Local resident and hospital porter Edward Thawe, 43, was among those who witnessed the chaos. Stepping outside with his 12-year-old son after hearing screams, Thawe described what he saw to BBC News: “The police and ambulance were already at the scene, which was horrible—more than scary and the sort of thing that you don’t want to look at twice.” He recounted seeing a man whose “whole body was burnt,” his shirt charred but his trousers still intact. Thawe believed the man and a woman he saw outside may have been customers caught in the inferno.
Another Ilford resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail he was drawn outside by the sound of sirens and screams. He saw three injured people being doused by emergency services and described them as “severely burned” and receiving oxygen. “I can only imagine the pain they were going through. It was just an absolutely horrible situation,” he said, adding, “I could not sleep properly last night over it.”
On Saturday morning, the scene on Woodford Avenue remained cordoned off as forensic officers in protective suits combed the area for evidence. According to BBC News, a trail of what appeared to be bloodstained footsteps was spotted along the pavement outside the restaurant, and several items were bagged up in clear plastic carriers. Uniformed officers maintained a visible presence, guarding the perimeter and reassuring concerned residents.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Met’s Central Specialist Crime North unit, addressed the community’s anxiety in a statement widely reported by Sky News and BBC News: “We understand this incident will cause concern within the community. My team of specialist detectives are working at speed to piece the incident together. Locals can expect to see a large police presence in the area. If you have any concerns, please speak to those officers on the ground.”
The urgency of the investigation is palpable. The cause of the fire is under active scrutiny by both the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service, with officials appealing to the public for information. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant details is urged to contact the Met via 101, quoting 7559/22AUG, or to remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ilford North, publicly expressed his gratitude to emergency responders on X (formerly Twitter). “Huge thanks to @metpoliceuk @LondonFire @Ldn_Ambulance for their response to a serious incident on Gants Hill/Woodford Avenue this evening. Please avoid the area for now. Further updates will follow from @RedbridgeLive and emergency services,” Streeting wrote.
The Indian Aroma restaurant, a fixture in the Gants Hill community, now stands as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by deliberate acts of violence. The restaurant’s ground floor suffered significant fire damage, but it is the human toll that has left the deepest scars. As of Saturday, all five victims remain in hospital, with families and friends anxiously awaiting news of their recovery.
The attack has prompted an outpouring of sympathy and concern from local residents, many of whom are grappling with the shock of such a violent event in their neighborhood. The rapid and coordinated response from emergency services has been widely praised, but questions remain about the motive behind the suspected arson and the identity of those responsible.
In the wake of the incident, community leaders and officials have emphasized the importance of vigilance and solidarity. The ongoing investigation will likely be watched closely, not only by those directly affected but by the broader London community, eager for answers and reassurance.
For now, Gants Hill remains under the watchful eye of police and forensic teams, as investigators work tirelessly to unravel the circumstances of Friday night’s tragedy. The hope, shared by all, is that justice will be served and that those fighting for their lives will recover from this senseless act.
