A catastrophic fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, late Saturday night reportedly killed 25 people, including 20 staff and five tourists, with six injured from suffocation after a suspected kitchen gas cylinder blast amid narrow exits and overcrowding.
Police reportedly arrested a fifth manager, Bharat, from Delhi on Monday, while co-owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra remain absconding; three senior officials were suspended for approving operations without safety clearances.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant vowed stringent action against negligent parties, PM Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia per deceased kin, and Rahul Gandhi called it a criminal failure of governance.
Inferno ravages popular party spot
Birch by Romeo Lane, a trendy venue opened last year near Baga Beach, 25 km from Panaji, drew crowds for late-night events when flames erupted around midnight on the first floor during peak tourist season.
Eyewitnesses reported panic as nearly 100 patrons on the dance floor rushed downstairs, only to find congested small doors trapping many in the kitchen and basement.
Fire tenders battled for two hours, hampered by narrow lanes forcing vehicles 400 metres away; a shack owned by the Luthras at Vagator Beach was also sealed for illegal construction. This marks Goa’s deadliest nightclub blaze, spotlighting recurring scrutiny on nightlife safety lapses.
Owner’s statement amid crackdown
Saurabh Luthra the owner of the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane that caught fire resulting in 25 deaths released his first statement on Monday. An FIR has been registered against the owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra and the event organisers.
“The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch. In this hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity.”
“The management further affirms that it shall extend every possible form of assistance support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity” Luthra posted on Instagram.
Arrests mount amid safety violations probe
Police filed FIR at Anjuna station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for negligence, naming owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, plus arrested managers: chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general managers Vivek Singh and Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, and now Bharat from Delhi.
Three officials suspended include former Panchayat Director Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, Pollution Board Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro, and Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat Secretary Raghuvir Bagkar for granting 2023 permissions sans fire norms.
CM Sawant stated, “We will take action against the club management and officials who allowed it despite flouting safety norms,” while PM Modi tweeted, “The fire mishap in Arpora is deeply saddening… Spoke to Goa CM about the situation.”
Rahul Gandhi posted, “This is not just an accident, it is a criminal failure of safety and governance. A thorough probe must fix accountability.” All 25 victims identified at Goa Medical College: four Delhi tourists (three from one family), one from Karnataka, and 20 staff; five injured stable, one discharged.
Government crackdown and victim support
Authorities sealed two other Romeo Lane properties, ordered statewide fire audits, and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo announced notices to all clubs for clearances, with licences revoked for violators.
Sawant announced Rs 5 lakh state ex-gratia per deceased kin and Rs 50,000 for injured, complementing PMNRF aid; probe report expected in a week.
Most deaths from suffocation, three from burns; fireworks during dance performance emerged as another suspected trigger per survivors. Families grieve low-wage staff serving festive crowds, underscoring human cost in tourism hubs.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This tragedy exposes how negligence shatters lives, demanding empathy for bereaved families and urgent reforms to prioritise safety over profits in entertainment venues.
The Logical Indian advocates harmonious collaboration among owners, officials, and communities to enforce inspections, widen exits, and train staff, fostering kindness through preventive harmony. Such accountability promotes coexistence where joy does not endanger the vulnerable.
