Arson arrest after fire at packed-out LGBT+ club

13 minutes ago

Neve Gordon-Farleigh

An eyewitness said thousands of people watched from the roadside as the fire took hold

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at a packed-out LGBT+ nightclub.

Revellers were evacuated in the early hours of the morning from Pink Punters in Fenny Stratford, near Milton Keynes, as flames quickly took hold.

Thames Valley Police said a 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes remained in custody and it urged people not to speculate as to the motive. There were no reports of injuries.

Eyewitness Molly Firman said "out of nowhere" staff and security started screaming "you need to get out now".

"It just didn't seem real in the moment," she said.

"Am I dreaming this? Is it actually happening? Before you knew it, it was just intense."

News image — Molly Firman said it would be devastating if Pink Punters did not one day reopen

Gabby Cantareli The outside of Pink Punters, a night club in Fenny Stratford. There are purple neon lights and smoke and orange flames coming from the top of the building. — Molly Firman said it would be devastating if Pink Punters did not one day reopen

Firman, from Clophill, who said she had visited Pink Punters countless times, was with a group of friends when she saw the flames.

"It was just a normal night - drinks, music, no problems - and then just after two in the morning, me and my girls were outside the cocktail bar... and the fire alarm was going off.

"Out of nowhere all staff and security were screaming, 'you need to get out now'... then [we were] all out on to the road and from the road looking over it felt like in minutes - it wasn't a small fire - but that fire expanded greatly."

She described the blaze as a "surreal experience", with thousands of people watching from the roadside.

"It's truly devastating to say the least," said Firman.

"When I think of going on a night out, that's pretty much the only place I will think of going. If Pink's was not to be here anymore, I think it would affect a lot of people."

Molly Firman The outside of Pink Punters club in Fenny Stratford. There is a purple glow from the neon lights of the building and an orange glow from the flames of a fire. There is a fire engine and two firefighters in the picture and crowds of people stood around. — Ch Supt Emma Baillie said people were evacuated "quickly and effectively".

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called at 02:09 BST to Watling Street, and at its height, 12 appliances were being used to tackle the fire.

A spokesperson said crews were expected to remain at the scene for a "considerable amount of time", including to dampen down hotspots.

Road closures were expected to remain in place for some time, police said.

Ch Supt Emma Baillie, commander for Milton Keynes, said people were evacuated "quickly and effectively".

"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.