A man has been arrested after a ‘significant’ fire at an LGBT+ nightclub in Buckinghamshire on Sunday morning.
Police were called to Pink Punters nightclub in Milton Keynes at 2am on Sunday as footage appeared to show flames on the building’s top floor and above its roof.
Some 12 fire crews scrambled to fight the fire, which could be seen ravaging the building in drone footage while thick plumes of smoke rose billowed upwards.
Firefighters hosed the building from the ground, with footage from later that morning showing the hollowed-out sooty shell of the building as smoke continued to rise.
Police said it was too early to say the reason the fire broke out but added partygoers and residents around Watling Street were safely evacuated and there were no injuries.
A 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remains in police custody.
Officers and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue crews remained at the scene and road closures were still in place on Sunday afternoon.
At the peak of the blaze there were 12 fire crews at the nightclub, which has been running for over 20 years and has dancefloors and an outdoor bar.
Smoke and flames could be seen above the Pink Punters nightclub in Milton Keynes in the early hours of Sunday morning
At the peak of the fire 12 fire crews were at the scene, while residents and partygoers were safely evacuated
No one was injured in the fire at the Milton Keynes nightclub – police said one man aged 51 was arrested
Milton Keynes commander Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie said: ‘This was a significant fire in which a large number of people had to be evacuated.
‘Thankfully no one was injured and staff at the venue worked quickly and effectively to safely evacuate everyone.’
She added: ‘At this time it would be too early to comment on any particular motivation for this incident and we would respectfully ask for people not to speculate.’
Anyone with information has been asked to contact police on 101.