25 Dead As Massive Fire Guts Popular Goa Nightclub; Manager Arrested, Hunt On For Owner

25 Dead As Massive Fire Guts Popular Goa Nightclub; Manager Arrested, Hunt On For Owner

A late-night blaze tore through the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, killing 25 people — among them four tourists and 14 staff members — and leaving six others injured. The fire erupted shortly after midnight, sending close to a hundred people scrambling for exits as thick smoke quickly filled the building.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who rushed to the site around 2 am, confirmed that most victims died from suffocation. He said the injured are stable and being treated at Goa Medical College. Rescue teams struggled to reach the spot on time, he noted, because the narrow, congested approach lanes slowed down fire tenders.

The club’s general manager has been arrested, and an arrest warrant has been issued for the owner. Sawant stressed that no one responsible “will be spared,” and ordered a magisterial inquiry to examine whether fire safety measures, building rules and emergency exits were violated.

Early findings suggest the blaze started on the first floor while the dance floor was packed. Eyewitnesses described a frantic rush downstairs, with several people becoming trapped near the kitchen area. Authorities initially suspected a cylinder explosion, but police later clarified that all cylinders were found intact.

Fire officials said the flames spread with such force that the entire structure was engulfed within seconds, leaving little chance for escape. After nearly two hours of firefighting, the blaze was brought under control. The nightclub has since been sealed, and investigators are piecing together the final movements of the victims, seven of whom are yet to be identified.

Messages of grief poured in from national leaders. President Droupadi Murmu said she was deeply pained by the loss of lives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “deeply saddening” and said he had spoken to the Chief Minister, assuring all possible assistance. He also announced ex-gratia relief of ₹2 lakh each to the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PMNRF.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged the “tragic loss of lives,” while Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded a transparent probe and full accountability. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Piyush Goyal also expressed their condolences.

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Local BJP MLA Michael Lobo said many of the victims were local workers employed in the club’s basement, where several people reportedly ran during the chaos and were overcome by smoke.

As rescue teams continued working through the night, North Goa authorities released emergency helpline numbers for families and tourists seeking information. The District Control Room can be reached at 0832-2225383, while the Goa Police Control Room (North Goa) is available at 7875756000. Additional district-level officers for Bardez and Tiswadi, along with Mamlatdar offices, have also been put on active duty to assist callers.

The final cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but investigators say their focus now is on safety lapses — and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.