Five petrol bombs were thrown at partygoers and two supercars outside a Birmingham banqueting venue hosting a wedding on the evening of August 19, 2026. The attack occurred at the Royal Shalimar venue on Highgate Road in Sparkbrook, where approximately 500 guests were attending a wedding celebration, with additional diners in the main restaurant below.
Attack Details and Immediate Response
Three petrol bombs were hurled towards guests gathered outside the venue, while two more were thrown at high-value cars believed to be a Lamborghini and a McLaren. One projectile struck the front of the venue as hundreds of guests were eating inside. Disaster was averted only by the quick actions of venue staff who tackled the flames with fire extinguishers before fire crews and police arrived.
Young partygoers and a baby were among those outside who were narrowly missed by the burning missiles. Diner Fahim Kayani, president of the all-party international Kashmir coordination committee, was eating in the main restaurant when the incident 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 out the flames with fire extinguishers before the emergency services arrived.’
CCTV Footage and Witness Accounts
CCTV footage seen by BirminghamLive showed three people, all dressed in black, standing across the road from the venue. One of them set three missiles alight before throwing them towards the venue. Another of the trio then crossed the road and appeared to start two further petrol bombs that were thrown into the cars parked outside. All three then fled the scene.
Shocked partygoers scattered, with some jumping into other supercars to drive them out of harm’s way. Footage captured by a passing motorist, also seen by BirminghamLive, showed the aftermath with people trying to kick the burning missiles away from the cars while a burst of flame streaked across the road. Mr Kayani noted, ‘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 standing 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.’
Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The incident caused no reported injuries, but the potential for harm was significant given the number of people present. The Royal Shalimar venue, which hosts weddings and dining events, saw staff act swiftly to contain the flames before emergency services arrived. Police are investigating the attack, and no arrests have been reported as of the latest updates. The motive remains unclear, but the targeting of high-value cars and guests suggests a deliberate act of intimidation.
