A 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a significant fire at the Pink Punters LGBT+ nightclub. Thames Valley Police responded to reports of the blaze at around 2am on Sunday, April 26, at the venue located on Watling Street.
Evacuation and Emergency Response
Staff successfully evacuated a large number of partygoers and nearby residents from the area. Police confirmed that no injuries were reported. Video footage captured flames engulfing the upper floor of the building and rising above the roof. Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews remain at the scene, and road closures are still in effect.
Arrest and Investigation
The suspect, a 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes, is currently in custody. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, Milton Keynes commander, stated: "This was a significant fire in which a large number of people had to be evacuated. Thankfully no one was injured and staff at the venue worked quickly and effectively to safely evacuate everyone." She added: "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."
Background on Pink Punters
Pink Punters has been operating for over two decades, offering dancefloors, an outdoor bar, and karaoke nights. At the height of the blaze, 12 fire crews were on site. Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 101, quoting reference 43260203265.
