Man arrested over LGBTQ+ club fire released on conditional bail

A man arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a serious fire at Pink Punters, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Milton Keynes, has been released on conditional bail.

Emergency services were called to Pink Punters, a long‑standing LGBT+ venue on Watling Street in Fenny Stratford, in the early hours of Sunday. The club, which was full of weekend revellers, was rapidly evacuated as flames spread through the building. The incident came less than 24 hours after a separate fire at a nearby church on the same road, BBC reports.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that a 51‑year‑old man from Milton Keynes, previously arrested in connection with the nightclub fire, has now been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.

“At the moment we are keeping an open mind and investigating the incidents in conjunction with each other due to proximity in location and time,” a police spokesperson said. Officers have urged the public not to speculate about any potential motive.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the scene at 02:09 BST. At the height of the blaze, 12 fire appliances were deployed. Crews are expected to remain on site for some time to monitor and dampen remaining hotspots. Road closures on Watling Street are likely to stay in place while investigations and safety checks continue.

Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, commander for Milton Keynes, said the nightclub was cleared promptly. “People were evacuated quickly and effectively,” she said, confirming there were no reports of injuries. She added that it was too early to draw conclusions about the cause or intent, and again asked the public not to speculate.

Eyewitness and regular customer Molly Firman, from Clophill in Bedfordshire, described scenes of shock and confusion as the evacuation began.

“Out of nowhere staff and security started screaming ‘you need to get out now’,” she said. “It just didn’t seem real in the moment. Am I dreaming this? Is it actually happening? Before you knew it, it was just intense.”

Firman said she and her friends had been outside the cocktail bar area when they became aware of the fire.

“It was just a normal night – drinks, music, no problems – and then just after two in the morning the fire alarm was going off,” she said. “Then we were all out on to the road and from there, looking over, it felt like in minutes – it wasn’t a small fire – it expanded greatly.”

She estimated that thousands of people were watching from the roadside as the club burned. “It’s truly devastating to say the least,” she added. “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.”

Frank McMahon, whose family has owned Pink Punters for 36 years, said he was “heartbroken” by the destruction of a venue that has long served as a safe space for LGBT+ people from Milton Keynes and beyond.

“Whilst I am devastated to say that the building itself has been completely destroyed, I am deeply relieved, grateful and proud to confirm that no staff or customers were harmed, and everybody went home safely,” he said in a statement.

He paid tribute to fire crews, as well as Pink Punters staff and customers, for their swift actions on the night.

“Pink Punters has always been about people, not just bricks and mortar. The building may be gone, but the family, the memories, the spirit and the love remain,” he said, vowing that the venue would reopen in the future. “And let me say this clearly: Pink Punters will be back.”

For many LGBT+ people in the region, Pink Punters has been a rare and important dedicated venue, offering safety, affirmation and community at a time when such spaces are increasingly under pressure. The loss of the building, even temporarily, is already being felt by regulars.

Local Labour MP for Buckingham and Bletchley, Callum Anderson, condemned the incident and called for robust action.

He said he was “deeply concerned” by the fire and insisted that “whoever has been involved in this disgusting incident” should “feel the full force of the law”.

“I will be asking my team to liaise closely with the police and with the venue’s owners to ensure that all appropriate steps are being taken and that the community is properly supported,” he added.

Police and fire investigators remain at the scene as inquiries continue into the cause of the fire at Pink Punters and its possible connection to the earlier blaze at the nearby church. The LGBT+ community and allies are closely watching developments and calling for a thorough investigation, as they rally around a venue that has long served as an essential community hub.