IWA (GB) condemns attack on Ilford restaurant fire; two arrested

London: A suspected arson attack on a restaurant in Ilford, east London, left three people critically injured and several others hurt on August 22. The fire broke out at “Indian Aroma” on Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, around 9 pm.

Firefighters rescued five people from the ground floor, while nine others escaped before the flames spread. Five were hospitalised with burns and smoke inhalation, three of them in a life-threatening condition. Two others declined hospital treatment after escaping the blaze.

The Indian Workers’ Association - GB (IWA), which earlier condemned the appalling attack, visited those affected along with members of the newly formed Kairali East London unit. A three-member delegation of Lino, Harsev Bains and Anaz Salam met the restaurant manager, Kichu from Telangana, who was still visibly shaken. “This was a jolt, a rude awakening to the reality of Britain today,” he said, describing the devastation to his livelihood. The restaurant’s ground floor was completely destroyed, though fire services prevented the flames from spreading further.

A friend of the owners from Lahore also visited the site and expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown. The IWA said it would step up efforts to organise more branches to build unity against racism and the anti-immigrant narrative in the country.

Scotland Yard confirmed that two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Detectives from the Met’s central specialist crime north unit are reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence collected from the scene. A large police presence remains in the area as the investigation continues.