Vehicles set alight outside packed wedding in Sparkbrook
A rowdy and dangerous incident in Sparkbrook saw several petrol bombs thrown at a line of supercars outside the Royal Shalimar wedding venue on Highgate Road last night, leaving two luxury cars damaged and hundreds of guests shaken.
The attack occurred at about 8.30pm while around 500 guests were inside the venue eating, according to local reports. CCTV footage obtained from the scene shows three people dressed in black standing across the road and appears to capture multiple projectiles being launched towards the pavement and parked cars.
Three of the petrol bombs landed close to guests — including what was described in accounts as a baby — on the pavement outside the building. Witnesses said venue staff and others acted quickly to extinguish flames and move the devices away from the crowd, preventing wider injury and further damage.
“The restaurant staff responded very quickly and put out the flames with fire extinguishers before the emergency services arrived,”
The witness, Fahim Kayani, who is president of the Kashmir co-ordination committee, described panic among attendees but praised the calm response of many at the scene.
Suspects fled on foot then in vehicle, cars badly affected
Footage shows a second person close to the line of cars either throwing another petrol bomb or pouring fuel onto an existing fire, causing a brief but intense ball of flame. Two high-value cars — believed to be a McLaren and a Lamborghini — were reported to have been damaged by the blaze.
Police said the suspects fled the scene on foot down Mole Street before getting into a white VW Golf. A passing motorist filmed the scene as staff and bystanders tackled the flames.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Royal Shalimar, Highgate Road, Sparkbrook |
| Time | About 8.30pm |
| Guests | Approximately 500 inside |
| Vehicles damaged | Believed McLaren and Lamborghini |
| Suspects | Three people in black; fled on foot then by white VW Golf |
Immediate local impact and response
The incident has raised alarm among residents and businesses in the area. While no serious injuries have been reported, the targeting of a large, family-centred event has prompted questions about safety at public gatherings and those responsible for security outside commercial venues.
- Venue staff and guests used fire extinguishers to stop the fire spreading.
- CCTV footage appears to show the attack unfolding and may assist police inquiries.
- Witness accounts emphasise the risk to children and to bystanders near parked cars.
Local policing teams are expected to review patrols in the vicinity and examine CCTV and other evidence as part of an active investigation. The use of petrol bombs in a densely populated public place is likely to be treated as a serious public-order matter.
Wider implications for communities and venue security
Beyond the immediate damage to vehicles and the distress caused to guests, such incidents can have broader consequences for community confidence and for businesses that rely on hosting large private events. Organisers and venue operators will face renewed scrutiny over the safety measures in place for the public realm around their premises.
Residents in Sparkbrook told reporters they were relieved that staff were able to limit the damage, but several said they expected a visible policing response in the coming days to reassure the local community.
Police enquiries remain ongoing. Anyone with relevant information, or anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to officers, is asked to contact West Midlands Police quoting the incident details shown in local appeals.
This office will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as police release more information about arrests, charges or safety measures arising from the investigation.
