Five individuals have been hospitalized, with three in critical condition, following a suspected arson incident at a restaurant in East London.

Authorities, including police, paramedics, and firefighters, responded to the blaze on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill, Ilford, at 9:00 PM BST on Friday evening.

The fire resulted in injuries to three women and two men, all of whom were transported to the hospital and are currently receiving treatment.

Investigators from both the fire service and police are looking into the cause of the fire, although no arrests have yet been made, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The flames caused damage to part of the restaurant’s ground floor, and firefighting efforts successfully extinguished the fire by 10:30 PM.

The five hospitalized individuals were rescued from the premises by fire crews, while approximately nine others managed to evacuate the building before firefighters arrived.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers stated, “We recognize that this incident may raise concerns in the community. My team of specialized detectives is working swiftly to gather all the details.

“Residents can expect to see a significant police presence in the area. If anyone has concerns, please feel free to speak with the officers present.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who serves as the MP for Ilford North, expressed his gratitude on X for the prompt response from police, fire, and ambulance services.