Community say town's soul hurt by LGBT+ club fire

A community has been left "devastated" after a suspected arson attack at a busy LGBT+ nightclub described as the soul of the area.

People at Pink Punters in Fenny Stratford, near Bletchley in Milton Keynes, were evacuated by staff during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Thames Valley Police said a 51-year-old man from the city was arrested on suspicion of arson and remained in custody. There were no reports of injuries.

One regular, Kirsty, told the BBC the venue had been the "soul of Bletchley on a night out".

"You'd walk into a room, and there'd be all walks of life in there, wouldn't matter who you were, no one would judge," she continued.

"Everybody got on, and everybody had a good night out."

Pink Punters was bought by its owners in 1990 and was established as an LGBT+ venue on the 31st October 2000.

According to Milton Keynes LGBT+ charity Q Alliance, revellers had travelled from around the world to dance at the club.

Charity spokesperson Jay Virgo said: "Pinks has been a massively well-attended venue over the years.

"There's a lot of speculation within the club scene these days in that not as many people are going out, but it is really important that we acknowledge the kind of historical value of venues like this."

Lester Jay had been in the venue's basement when staff began to usher people out the doors.

He recalled: "We all evacuated quite quickly into the car park where we were able then to see fire coming out of the top roof, that's when we realised that this was going to be major."

Jay praised staff, especially the club's security team, for safely evacuating people in the building.

He said: "It was like the building was made out of matchsticks. We've had some warm weather, and it's quite an old building, so it really did go up really fast.

"Obviously, Pinks has been a massive part of the Milton Keynes community for many years, and I do feel for the owner and the security team.

"Not only them, the residents and the local people of Milton Keynes who have been coming here for many years, to see this building in the state that it is today".

Gemma Phypers and Erin Street, both 18, also praised security, with the former saying: "Everyone was out within like five minutes, it was the best thing I've ever seen."

Her friend added: "It was a bit scary... It was just a bit like it wasn't really real; it was really strange."

The friends had been downstairs when the fire started and had not realised what was happening until they came up to the deserted main floor.

Staff quickly instructed the two girls to leave the building, and they watched from outside as the flames spread to the upper floors.

Seeing the damage the next day, Street said: "We're so shocked at how it looks now.

"To come back and see what actually happened, it's so bad, I'm glad everyone got out, and no one was hurt, honestly.

"Like I don't know how they did it, but yeah, it's insane."

The blaze at Pink Punters came the day after another fire at a nearby church.

On Saturday at about 00:11 BST, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines to Saint Martin's Parish Church, also on Watling Street.

While the fire service would not comment on the incidents, Thames Valley Police said it was "keeping an open mind and investigating the incidents in conjunction with each other due to proximity in location and time".

In a statement, Frank McMahon, whose family has owned Pink Punters for 36 years, said he was "heartbroken".

He thanked fire crews and staff for acting quickly while adding he was "deeply relieved" that no staff or customers were harmed.

The owner promised Pink Punters would "be back", but Kirsty was worried it could take some time.

She said: "I hope it does come back, pretty sure it will... It's going to take a long time, clearly from seeing the state of it.

"I'll be happy to see it come back, I'll probably be one of the first customers in there," she added.

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