Five petrol bombs were launched at wedding guests and two supercars during a terrifying attack outside a restaurant in Birmingham. Three flaming projectiles were lobbed towards attendees outside the Royal Shalimar venue in Highgate Road, Sparkbrook, on Wednesday, August 19. A further two were hurled at the expensive vehicles, believed to be a Lamborghini and a McLaren.
Attack Details
One of the projectiles hit the front of the establishment, where hundreds of guests were enjoying their meal. Catastrophe was only prevented by the swift response of venue employees who extinguished the flames before firefighters arrived.
Young attendees wearing traditional thube and a baby were amongst those outside who narrowly escaped harm, reports Birmingham Live. CCTV footage viewed by BirminghamLive revealed three individuals, all wearing black clothing, positioned across the street from the venue. One of them ignited three projectiles before launching them towards the establishment. Another member of the group then crossed the street and appeared to light two additional petrol bombs that were thrown at the vehicles parked outside. All three subsequently escaped.
Witness Account
Stunned guests dispersed, with some leaping into other supercars to move them to safety. Staff members then rushed to douse the flames with fire extinguishers before emergency services and officers arrived, according to diner Fahim Kayani. Inside were approximately 500 guests celebrating a wedding, with additional diners in the main restaurant downstairs. Footage, also witnessed by BirminghamLive, was filmed by a driver passing by. It captured the horrific scenes that unfolded, with bystanders attempting to boot the flaming projectiles away from vehicles while a flash of fire shot across the carriageway.
Amongst those dining below was Mr Kayani, president of the all party international Kashmir coordination committee, who was having his meal when the frightening episode occurred. "I was inside enjoying my meal when this very serious incident took place," he said. "I was aware of a disturbance outside. The restaurant staff responded very quickly and put the flames out using fire extinguishers before the emergency services arrived. Everyone stayed very calm but it could have been a lot worse. There was a big wedding and lots of people around. Young people were stood not far from the cars that were firebombed, one kicked one of the missiles away before it could roll under one of the cars. One young child was just a few metres away. It could have been very bad indeed. The police need to find those responsible."
Police Investigation
West Midlands Police has issued a statement appealing for anyone with information to get in touch. It states: "An investigation has been launched after two cars were set on fire in Sparkbrook last night (Wed). At around 8.30pm, we were called to Royal Shalimar on Highgate Road. Three men were spotted running down Mole Street before getting into a white Volkswagen golf and driving off. Fortunately no injuries were reported. We have been speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV as part of our investigation. Anyone with information is asked to get in touch via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log 5308 of 18 August."
