The owner of the Pink Punters, a gay club in the British town of Fenny Stratford near Milton Keynes, says the venue was completely destroyed by the fire that engulfed it over the weekend.
Early on Sunday morning the club was evacuated after its fire alarm sounded and staff discovered a blaze on one of the venue’s balconies. Thames Valley Police said they had taken a 51‑year‑old man into custody but urged the public not to speculate about the motive.
Frank McMahon, the owner of the long-running venue, said the building had completely destroyed by the fire.
“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.” McMahon said in a statement.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my entire workforce. They acted calmly, professionally and effectively in the most serious of circumstances. At Pink Punters, we have always maintained the highest standards in Training, Equipment and Procedures. Years of practising fire drills, over and over again, paid off when it mattered most.
“I cannot put into words how proud I am of everyone involved.” he said.
McMahon said his family had owned the site for over 30 years, and it had been the home of Pink Punters for most of that time.
“Pink Punters is more than a building. It is an institution, built over many years by a wide family of staff, customers, friends and supporters.
“Worldwide, nightclub fires have too often resulted in a devastating human toll. Tonight, we can all be profoundly thankful that this was not the case here. The building has been lost, but lives were protected, and that matters more than anything.” he said, before vowing to rebuild the local institution.
