Terrified customers had to run for their lives after group of men stormed into Monak in Abbey Road and threatened staff with knives at around 10.30pm on Friday evening.
They then started a fire inside the pan-Asian sushi restaurant in St John’s Wood, north-west London, and fled the scene before police arrived.
Shocking footage shows flames roaring from the front of the restaurant and thick smoke billowing into the sky as stunned passers-by watched on.
Police confirmed they’ve not yet managed to identify the suspects or make any arrests. No one is reported to have been badly injured, but the restaurant has been badly damaged.
One local resident described how they saw the devastating aftermath of the attack unfold just a matter of yards from the famous zebra crossing pictured on The Beatles album cover.
An eyewitness told MyLondon: ‘I heard a noise and people started running down the street. I saw people clearly screaming so something was going on.
‘Then I saw flames in the restaurant. I have only heard of one minor injury but it could have been a murder enquiry.
‘There were some people with masks and balaclavas, it was almost military style.
‘I did speak to some of the diners. A woman said it was something to do with gasoline.’
Monak also confirmed they are already thinking about getting the restaurant open once again and thanked its staff for how they handled the attack.
A Met Police spokesman said: ‘An investigation is under way to identify and arrest those responsible, led by dedicated detectives from Central West CID.
‘This will include analysis of all available CCTV among other lines of inquiry. There has been no arrest at this stage.’
