GOA: Twenty-five people, including four tourists were killed after a fire broke out at Birch By Romeo Lane in Arpora, Goa. Over 50 others were injured and taken to hospital, with officials stating that most of the victims were staff members working inside the premises.Initial findings point to a cylinder blast as the trigger, with three people dying of burn injuries and the remaining due to suffocation, as thick smoke filled the enclosed space.
Key developments:
- Twenty-five people were killed, including three women and 22 men after a fire ripped through Birch By Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, shortly after midnight on Sunday.
- At least 100 persons were on the dance floor of a nightclub in North Goa when a fire broke out there, and in an attempt to escape, some of them ran downstairs to its kitchen where they got trapped along with the staff, an eyewitness told to news agency PTI.
- The blaze is believed to have been triggered by a cylinder explosion, with most victims being staff members working in the basement area, including three women and a few tourists.
- Officials confirmed that three died of burns while the remaining succumbed to severe suffocation as smoke filled the structure.
- Emergency calls were received at 12:04 am, following which police, fire services and ambulances rushed to the venue and worked through the night to recover bodies and shift the injured to hospitals.
- Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site, called it a tragic day for the state, and ordered a full investigation into possible safety norm violations.
- Sawant stated that strict action will be taken against the club’s management and any officials found responsible for allowing operations without mandated fire safeguards.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief, spoke to CM Sawant regarding relief efforts and announced ₹2 lakh for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from PMNRF.
- Residents near the venue recalled hearing a loud blast, followed by chaos, smoke and ambulances rushing in as the structure burned.
Goa DGP Alok Kumar said the blaze was brought under control and “all the 23 bodies have been recovered”, adding that the investigation will determine responsibility and action will follow.The President mourned the loss of lives, stating, “Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident in North Goa district resulting in the loss of precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find strength during this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site early Sunday, said it is an extremely distressing tragedy for the state. “The incident is very unfortunate for a tourism state like Goa. The people who run such things illegally, and a fire incident occurred. 23 people have lost their lives. The government will conduct an inquiry into this incident. The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire, and those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law,” he said. He added, “Primary information indicates that the nightclub had not followed fire safety norms. Three women and three to four tourists are among the 23 killed. Of the total casualties, three succumbed to burn injuries while the rest died due to suffocation. We will conduct a detailed probe, and stringent action will be taken against those found guilty. Such incidents are not good for a tourist place like Goa.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and condolence, calling the event “deeply saddening”. He said, “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.” The PM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.Union home minister Amit Shah said the loss of lives was “deeply painful”.“The tragic loss of lives in a fire accident in Arpora, Goa, is deeply painful. The local administration is carrying out rescue and relief operations and providing the necessary care to the affected. My sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a message posted on X.Local MLA Michael Lobo raised concerns over fire compliance among nightlife establishments, saying, “We will need to conduct a safety audit of all other clubs in Goa, which is very important.”Residents reported hearing a loud explosion before smoke poured out of the structure. A nearby guard said they learned later that the inferno began following a cylinder blast.
