Three people fighting for their lives after arson attack at Gants Hill Indian restaurant

Five people were injured, two seriously, after a fire broke out in a restaurant this evening.

A major emergency services response is underway after the blaze at the India Aroma restaurant off Gants Hill Roundabout.

Police have now confirmed this was a suspected arson.

Our videos show police and several London Ambulance and London Fire Service crews at the scene of a blaze at the Indian Aroma restaurant on Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, east London.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 9.04pm today (22 August) to reports of a fire on Woodford Avenue, Ilford.

“We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and paramedics from our hazardous area response team. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car 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.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting posted on X: "Huge thanks to @metpoliceuk, @LondonFire and @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."

A London Fire Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 9:02pm to reports of a fire at a restaurant on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill.

"Part of the ground floor restaurant was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued five people from the restaurant. They were all taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service. Around nine further people were able to leave the restaurant before firefighters arrived.

"The Brigade’s Control Officers received seven calls about the fire and mobilised crews from Ilford, Hainault, Leytonstone and Woodford fire stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 2232.

"The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service."

We have contacted the Met Police for more details.

Kam Rai Leader of Redbridge Council posted on Facebook: "I’ve been informed that there’s been a very serious incident on A1400 Woodford Avenue at Gants Hill, towards the Eastern Avenue junction.

"All emergency services are at the location, please avoid the area tonight. Get in touch with the Redbridge Police if you have any information."

Another poster added: "Does anybody know what’s happening in Gants Hill? Lots of police around and Gants Hill roundabout mostly closed. We couldn’t get down Cranbrook Road towards Ilford."

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