Man arrested over LGBT+ club fire released on bail

10 hours ago

Katy Prickett

News image — The fire service was called at 02:09 BST on Sunday, and at its height, 12 appliances were used to tackle the fire

Richard Daniel/BBC A nightclub, pictured in the middle of the day, with a roof that has been destroyed in a fire. A fire engine is parked opposite the venue. There is a long aerial ladder rising into the sky above the building. Some smoke can be seen billowing out of the venue. — The fire service was called at 02:09 BST on Sunday, and at its height, 12 appliances were used to tackle the fire

A man arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire at a packed-out LGBT+ nightclub has been released on bail.

Revellers were evacuated in the early hours of Sunday from Pink Punters at Fenny Stratford in Milton Keynes, as flames quickly took hold. The blaze came the day after another fire at a nearby church, also on Watling Street.

Thames Valley Police said a 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes had been released on conditional bail while inquiries continued.

"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 spokesperson said.

Gabby Cantareli The outside of Pink Punters, a night club in Fenny Stratford. There are purple neon lights and smoke and orange flames coming from the top of the building. — An eyewitness said thousands of people watched from the roadside as the fire took hold

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.

At the time, Ch Supt Emma Baillie, commander for Milton Keynes, said people were evacuated "quickly and effectively".

There were no reports of injuries.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.