Overview
- The blaze, which broke out around 2am Sunday at the Bletchley venue, led to a full evacuation with no injuries reported by police.
- Thames Valley Police arrested a 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and he remains in custody as inquiries continue.
- Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed 12 crews at the height of the incident and is still checking hotspots as road closures and scene access controls stay in place.
- Owner Frank McMahon said the building was completely destroyed and credited staff fire drills for the safe exit, adding that a fire was first found on an outside balcony and vowing the club will be rebuilt.
- Pink Punters is a long-standing LGBTQ+ hub for Milton Keynes and beyond, and community figures and patrons have voiced support as police ask witnesses to call 101 quoting reference 43260203265.