A 16-year-old boy faces arson charges following a fire that left six individuals injured at an east London restaurant.

On August 22, around 21:00 BST, a blaze broke out at the Indian Aroma restaurant located on Woodford Avenue in Gants Hill, Ilford, injuring three men and three women who were subsequently hospitalized.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the teenager has been charged with six counts of attempted murder as well as conspiracy to commit arson with the intention of endangering lives.

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Monday, September 8, where he was remanded to a youth detention facility. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 6 at the Old Bailey.

The prosecution detailed that while staff and patrons were present in the Indian Aroma, three masked individuals entered the venue, pouring petrol throughout the premises before igniting it.

Barrister Suleman Hussain reported that one woman sustained severe burns, with 58 injuries affecting her upper body and face, and a man is currently in a coma suffering from life-altering injuries.

The fire caused significant damage to part of the restaurant’s ground floor, and London Fire Brigade crews managed to rescue five people, while nine others fled prior to their arrival.

A witness likened the scene to “something out of Halloween.”

Additionally, a 56-year-old man arrested on August 24 on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life has since been released on bail, as have two other 16-year-old boys taken into custody on September 5 under similar charges.