A clubgoer has described the terrifying moment security personnel 'dragged' people from an LGBT+ nightclub in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, as the venue 'lit up like a matchstick' during a fire. Emergency services were called to Pink Punters just after 2am on Sunday, with firefighters continuing to battle the extensive blaze that spread through the building.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that a 51-year-old man from Bletchley was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
Lester Jay was in the 'packed' cellar of Pinks, as the club is locally known, when he first noticed security shouting at the crowds to evacuate. He told the Press Association: 'Downstairs was really packed, there was I'd say about a couple of hundred people just in the cellar. You could immediately feel and see from security that it wasn't a drill, and that it was a real-life scenario.'
Mr Jay continued: 'I was standing close to a fire door so was one of the first ones out, but then everyone was just flooding out from everywhere and you immediately turn around and see the place in flames. When we stood outside, it was actually raining embers all over this car park, it was like it was raining fire. Hence why they then had to make a decision to clear everyone out of the area.'
Smoke continued to rise from the building on Monday as firefighters in cherry pickers hosed down the wreckage. While the facade of the club remains, the roof is completely gone and the charred interior is visible.
Mr Jay added: 'It was just crazy how the roof was like a matchstick, and it just went up. There were scuffles with drunk people, but the security were so professional clearing everyone to safety. They were dragging out drunk people that were moaning because they wanted to go and get their coat. Even though there was fire billowing out the roof, there were still people trying to go back in.'
He reflected on the potential for tragedy: 'I've seen horrifying videos of pubs and clubs catching fire, and you get a stampede and people just piling on top of each other and burning. I couldn't help but feel like that potentially could have happened in there if the staff weren't trained as well as they were, to evacuate people swiftly and safely as they did. It was amazing.'
Janet, a regular visitor to the club, went to see the wreckage on Monday and said she was devastated. Referring to the fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which killed 41 people in January, she said: 'We are so fortunate that they had their procedures in place for fires and everyone got out safe. We have all seen that horrific situation in Switzerland when all of those kids were burned, we are so lucky that no-one was hurt.'
Frank McMahon, the owner of Pink Punters, issued a statement: 'Worldwide, nightclub fires have too often resulted in a devastating human toll. Tonight, we can all be profoundly thankful that this was not the case here. Pink Punters has always been about people, not just bricks and mortar. The building may be gone, but the family, the memories, the spirit and the love remain. And let me say this clearly: Pink Punters will be back.'
Despite the ordeal, Mr Jay expressed optimism about the club's future: 'I'm super happy and the community is super happy to hear the owner saying we will rebuild. His statement gave me goosebumps and, of course, I will be that returning customer to support Pinks when it comes back.'
