A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at Pink Punters, an LGBTQ+ nightclub near Milton Keynes. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday, prompting a large-scale emergency response and the evacuation of partygoers and residents.
Club owner Frank McMahon, whose family has run Pink Punters for over 25 years, said he was devastated the building was completely destroyed but relieved no one was hurt. '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,' he said.
Thames Valley Police received reports of the fire at 2am on Sunday. Officers and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended, with 12 fire crews at the blaze's peak. Footage showed flames inside the top floor and towering above the roof. A 51-year-old man from the local area was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in custody.
Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, Milton Keynes commander, urged the public not to speculate on the motivation behind the fire. 'At this time, it would be too early to comment on any particular motivation for this incident and we would respectfully ask for people not to speculate,' she said.
Pink Punters, located in Fenny Stratford, has been a staple of the local LGBTQ+ community for more than two decades, featuring dancefloors, an outdoor bar, and karaoke. The investigation continues.
