Arsonist Ahmed Kawa found guilty of Lovat Lane fire

Key Points

• Ahmed Kawa, a 34-year-old homeless man, set fire to a bag of rubbish outside Italian restaurant Salotto31 on Lovat Lane, causing £200,000 in damage to the restaurant and nearby businesses.
• The incident occurred in the early hours of June 12, 2025, just metres from Pudding Lane, where the Great Fire of London began in 1666.
• CCTV footage captured Kawa walking past the Monument to the Great Fire of London before igniting the rubbish with a cigarette lighter, leading to a rapid blaze.
• On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Kawa was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, but cleared of the more serious charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
• The jury deliberated for two-and-a-half hours before reaching the verdict.
• Recorder Samantha Presland adjourned sentencing pending a psychiatric report to assess if a hospital order is appropriate instead of prison.
• Restaurant owners Alvise and Eliana Dal Mas described their “small piece of Venice” as “shattered,” with years of hard work lost in 20 minutes.
• A Crowdfunder campaign raised £39,000, enabling Salotto31 to reopen after the attack.
• Photos of the suspect were circulated among City of London Police officers, leading to Kawa’s arrest five weeks later.
• Kawa admitted resembling the man in photos but denied being the arsonist.

City of London (Manchester Mirror ) January 22, 2026
A homeless arsonist has been found guilty of starting a devastating fire just metres from the historic site of the Great Fire of London, causing £200,000 in damage to a beloved Italian restaurant and neighbouring businesses. Ahmed Kawa, 34, used a cigarette lighter to ignite a bag of rubbish outside Salotto31 on Lovat Lane in the early hours of June 12, 2025. The blaze quickly spread, threatening lives and echoing the city’s fiery past near Pudding Lane.

What led to the arson attack on Lovat Lane?

CCTV footage played a pivotal role in the case, as reported by Josh Bolton, court and crime reporter for London Now. The video showed Kawa walking past the Monument to the Great Fire of London on Pudding Lane before he deliberately set fire to the rubbish bag, which “quickly accelerated into a dangerous fire.” The location’s proximity to the 1666 Great Fire site added a layer of historical irony to the modern crime.​

City of London Police circulated photos of the suspect among officers, leading to Kawa’s arrest five weeks after the incident. Despite admitting he looked like the man in the images, Kawa denied responsibility during the trial at Inner London Crown Court.

Who are the victims of the Lovat Lane fire?

Salotto31, a cherished Italian eatery owned by Alvise and Eliana Dal Mas, bore the brunt of the damage. As reported by Josh Bolton of London Now, the couple described their venue as a “small piece of Venice” that had thrived in London for over 10 years. “These senseless acts for fun saw many years of hard work and sacrifice literally go up in smoke in 20 minutes of flames,” they stated.​

The fire also affected other businesses on Lovat Lane, contributing to the total £200,000 in losses. A Crowdfunder campaign swiftly raised £39,000 from the community, allowing Salotto31 to reopen despite the setback. Neighbouring premises suffered smoke and structural damage, though specific details on additional victims were not elaborated in court proceedings.

How did the trial unfold at Inner London Crown Court?

The trial centred on CCTV evidence and Kawa’s identification. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the jury convicted Kawa of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered after just two-and-a-half hours of deliberation. He was acquitted of the graver charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

Recorder Samantha Presland presided over the case. As detailed by Josh Bolton in London Now, she adjourned sentencing to allow for a psychiatric report. Recorder Presland remarked,

“I would like to get him help if he is ill. I don’t just want to send him to prison for six years if he is ill, because he may just start fires in prison.”

This reflects judicial consideration for potential mental health factors.​

Kawa’s homelessness was noted as a background factor, though no further personal history was disclosed in open court reports.

Why was the fire so destructive and historically significant?

The rapid escalation from a rubbish bag to a major blaze highlighted the recklessness of the act. Occurring metres from Pudding Lane—where the Great Fire of London ignited in 1666—the incident drew immediate media attention for its symbolic location. The Monument, commemorating the historic blaze that destroyed much of the city, stands as a stark backdrop in the CCTV footage.

Damage estimates reached £200,000, affecting not only Salotto31 but also adjacent properties. Firefighters contained the spread, preventing wider devastation, but the economic and emotional toll on owners like the Dal Mas couple was profound.

What support did the community provide after the arson?

Public response was swift and generous. The Crowdfunder initiative amassed £39,000, underscoring community solidarity with Salotto31. This funding facilitated the restaurant’s reopening, preserving jobs and the venue’s cultural role as a slice of Venetian charm in the City of London.

Alvise and Eliana Dal Mas expressed gratitude amid their grief, noting the outpouring as a silver lining to the tragedy. No further community initiatives were reported, but the effort demonstrated resilience in the face of “senseless acts.”

What happens next in Ahmed Kawa’s case?

Sentencing remains pending the psychiatric evaluation ordered by Recorder Presland. The report will inform whether a hospital order supplants a prison term, given concerns over Kawa’s potential to reoffend even behind bars. Court dates for the hearing were not specified in available reports.

Kawa’s guilty plea on resemblance but denial of the act did not sway the jury, who relied heavily on visual evidence. Legal experts note such cases often balance public safety with offender rehabilitation, especially involving homelessness and possible mental health issues.

How does this incident compare to historical fires in London?

While not on the scale of 1666, the Lovat Lane fire evokes memories of London’s vulnerability to arson. The Great Fire began similarly in a bakery on Pudding Lane, spreading uncontrollably. Modern fire safety measures limited this blaze, but the location reignited discussions on urban fire risks near historic sites.

No other recent comparable incidents in the City were linked, though London’s fire services handle numerous rubbish fires annually. This case stands out for its courtroom drama and community impact.

What measures prevent future arsons in the City of London?

City of London Police emphasised proactive CCTV monitoring post-incident. Increased patrols and rapid photo circulation expedited Kawa’s arrest. Authorities urged businesses to secure bins and report suspicious activity.

Recorder Presland’s focus on psychiatric help signals a holistic approach, potentially influencing future sentencing in similar cases. Broader prevention includes homelessness support programmes, though specifics for Kawa remain under review.

The arson attack by Ahmed Kawa serves as a cautionary tale of how a fleeting act can devastate lives and livelihoods in one of London’s most historic districts. As Salotto31 rebuilds, the community watches for justice and prevention. Court outcomes will clarify if rehabilitation prevails over incarceration.