The owner of an LGBT+ nightclub in Milton Keynes that was severely damaged by a fire has expressed relief that no one was hurt, but lamented that the “institution” has been completely destroyed.
Fire at Pink Punters
Firefighters continued to battle the blaze at Pink Punters in Bletchley on Monday morning, after police were alerted shortly after 2 a.m. on Sunday as flames spread through the venue. Staff evacuated dozens of partygoers and nearby residents from the Watling Street area, with no injuries reported, according to Thames Valley Police.
A 51-year-old man from the Buckinghamshire city has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody, the force confirmed.
As smoke continued to billow from the building, witnesses said they feared a repeat of the tragic fire at a Swiss ski resort earlier this year that claimed 41 lives. Firefighters in cherry pickers were seen hosing down the wreckage, with the club’s facade still standing but the roof completely destroyed and the interior charred.
Owner's Statement
Frank McMahon, owner of Pink Punters, said: “Worldwide, nightclub fires have too often resulted in a devastating human toll. We can all be profoundly thankful that this was not the case here. The building has been lost, but lives were protected, and that matters more than anything.”
He added: “Pink Punters is more than a building. It is an institution, built over many years by a wide family of staff, customers, friends and supporters. We are heartbroken, but we are also grateful. Grateful that everyone is safe. Grateful for the people who acted so quickly. Grateful for the love being shown to us. 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.”
Community Reaction
Janet, a regular visitor, came to view the wreckage on Monday morning and said she was devastated. “It is so iconic and important for the local community, it’s so safe and it’s such a lovely place, even the security were so friendly. 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. You’ve got to hand it to the management of the place.”
She added: “I am devastated but whatever the motive, the city will turn out for the community.”
On January 1, a fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana killed 41 people and injured over 100.
Alifa Khanom, 34, had moved into an estate across from Pink Punters the day before the fire. She said: “We only moved in on Friday night, and then around 2 o’clock Sunday morning, we heard a lot of noises, and thought it must be the club, but then it got louder and louder and I thought something’s not right. So my husband looked out the window and he came running to the bedroom shouting ‘oh my god there’s a fire’.”
Ms Khanom was concerned about the smoke as firefighters continued their work. “The flames were huge and the smoke was so thick. I was really worried because all you could smell was the smoke, so I couldn’t let the kids out, but it was even getting inside the house so I had to shut all the windows and keep everyone in.”
Len, a nearby resident, said the flames reached around 30 feet high. “I came down in the morning at around 9am and the firefighters were still trying to put it out. The flames were around 30ft still.” He noted that the club is always full, attracting visitors from across the region. “It’s always packed. On a Friday and Saturday night, people come from all over the area, it’s a real hub.”
