A sixteen-year-old boy appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday accused of attempted murder following an alleged arson attack at an Indian restaurant. The teenager, from Southwark, faces six counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.
The incident occurred at Indian Aroma in Woodford Avenue, Gants Hill, at around 9pm on August 22. Prosecutors told the court that three masked males allegedly walked into the restaurant where staff and customers were present, poured petrol around the premises before it was engulfed in flames.
Victims suffered severe injuries
Multiple people sustained serious injuries in the attack, with two victims suffering particularly severe burns. Prosecutor Suleman Hussain said a woman was left with 58 burns covering her upper torso, chest, both arms and face, while a man was left in a coma having suffered 53 burns and life-changing injuries.
Four other people were also injured in the incident. Another woman has severe burns to her arms and face and suffered difficulties with smoke and heat, whilst one man sustained non-life-threatening but potentially life-changing injuries, and a woman suffered non-life-threatening burns to her arms and face.
Emergency response and court proceedings
London Fire Brigade crews rescued five people from the restaurant, whilst nine others managed to escape beforehand. Part of the ground floor was damaged by fire, with one witness describing the blaze as "like a scene from Halloween".
The defendant was remanded to youth detention accommodation and will next appear at the Old Bailey on October 6. The case involves serious charges that could result in significant prison sentences if proven in court.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
