Arabic version: اعتقال مشتبه به في الحريق بعد حريق في نادي ليلي في ميلتون كينز

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at the Pink Punters LGBT+ nightclub in Fenny Stratford, near Milton Keynes. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, prompting an evacuation of patrons as flames quickly took hold. According to BBC News, the 51-year-old suspect from Milton Keynes remains in police custody, with authorities urging the public not to speculate on the motive behind the fire.

Eyewitness Molly Firman described the chaotic scene, stating that staff and security began shouting for everyone to exit immediately. “It just didn’t seem real in the moment,” she recalled. Firman, who was at the club with friends, noted that the atmosphere had been normal until just after 2 AM when the fire alarm sounded. She expressed concern over the potential permanent closure of the nightclub, which she described as a significant part of her social life.

Thames Valley Police confirmed that there were no reported injuries, and the evacuation was conducted quickly and effectively. Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to the emergency call at 02:09 BST, deploying 12 fire appliances to combat the blaze. Fire crews are expected to remain on-site for a considerable amount of time to address any lingering hotspots.

Ch Supt Emma Baillie, the commander for Milton Keynes, emphasized the importance of not speculating about the incident’s motivation at this early stage. Road closures are anticipated to be in effect for some time as the investigation continues.