- Police arrested a man after a fire destroyed an LGBTQ+ nightclub near Milton Keynes.
- Staff successfully evacuated all patrons and employees without any injuries being reported.
- The owner of the destroyed venue has vowed that the club will reopen.
A 51-year-old man from a Buckinghamshire city is currently in custody. He was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. This follows a major blaze at Pink Punters, an LGBTQ+ nightclub located in Fenny Stratford. Police are investigating the cause of the fire.
The emergency call reached Thames Valley police at 2am on Sunday. Firefighters from Buckinghamshire responded to the scene, where 12 fire crews worked at the blaze’s peak. Some nearby roads were closed as flames tower above the roof and burned the top floor of the building.
Staff acted quickly to ensure everyone left the building safely. No staff or customers were harmed during the incident. A large group of residents from the Watling Street area and many partygoers were successfully evacuated from the venue by the staff and police officers.
Frank McMahon, the owner, expressed heartbreak over the total destruction of the building. His family has operated the club for over 25 years. He stated that the spirit and love of the club remain and firmly promised that Pink Punters will return in the future.
The venue featured an outdoor bar, karaoke, and dancefloors for over two decades. Ch Supt Emma Baillie noted the effectiveness of the evacuation. She urged the public not to speculate about the motivation behind the fire, as it is too early to determine a reason.
