Arson arrest after fire at packed-out LGBT+ club

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."

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."

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.

Aaron Harding has worked as a cleaner at the venue for the past five months. He believes about 100 people are employed there

"I'm lost for words," said Harding, who said neither he, or his partner who works behind the bar, were at the venue on Saturday night.

"I can't even imagine what the owners are feeling - what they're going through."

He added: "[The venue] welcomes everyone in no matter your gender, race, ethnicity, all of it.

"They are so welcoming and it is devastating."

Colin Ruggles, 61, lives opposite Pink Punters, and said he woke at 03:00 to the smell of smoke.

"I opened up the lounge curtains just to be blasted with blue lights," he explained.

"When I put my head out the window, what a devastating scene I came across.

"It's horrendous, so many people go to Pinks, so many people work at Pinks.

"The LGBT community are going to be devastated, where else can they go within Milton Keynes to feel safe?"

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